March 8, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
EDITORIAL CONTACT:
LISA WOSKE, (805) 756-7110
TICKETS: 805/756-2787
National Black Light Theatre of Prague Brings Fantasy to Campus March 22
SAN LUIS OBISPO – In a special engagement,
The National
Black Light Theatre of Prague performs their amazing “Fantasy
Travellers” in the Spanos Theatre on Tuesday, March 22, 2005,
with a
special curtain time of 7 p.m.
“Five stars – heavenly perfection!!!’ raved The
Scotsman publication
after witnessing the artistry of a company who has been delighting
visitors to Prague and audiences across three continents for more
than
15 years.
The principle behind the black light theatre stage technique relies
on
an optical ruse, known as “the black box trick,” which
makes use of the
imperfection of the human eye: one cannot distinguish black on black.
Using this concept, the National Black Light Theatre of Prague
developed
a new type of “stage language” -- a non-verbal, dreamlike
theatrical
experience that is unique and magical.
The actors dress in black, move against a black background, and
are
therefore invisible to the audience. Various patented mechanical
devices
are hidden from the spectators using this same principle and the
result
is that audiences “see” inanimate objects come to life.
At the beginning of the 1980’s, the National Black Light
Theatre of
Prague introduced a series of new elements into the black box
repertoire. The careful selection of production themes allowed intensive
work on the storyline, dramatic staging, and the actors’ movements.
Visual enhancements include widescreen projections, oversized puppets,
black light animation, and computer generated effects. Emphasis
is
placed on the visual and musical elements of the production and
the
precision of the special effects.
The internationally-acclaimed group is now touring with their “Fantasy
Travellers” production, which is freely based on the themes
of the
world-famous novels “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland”
by Lewis Carroll
and “Gulliver’s Travels” by Jonathan Swift
With “Fantasy Travellers,” the National Black Light
Theatre of Prague
will take audiences on a journey amongst giants and Lilliputians,
dancing octopuses, singing flowers, and living chess figures. Alice
will
fly, shrink, and disappear, while Gulliver visits the most bizarre
continents, full of unknown creatures and objects.
The show is presented by Cal Poly Arts and is recommended for Grades
4
and up.
Tickets for the performance are $28 & $34, with student discounts
available, and may be purchased at the Performing Arts Ticket Office,
10
a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. To order
by
phone, call (805) 756-2787; to order by fax: (805) 756-6088. Order
on-line
at www.pacslo.org.
Sponsored by American Airlines/American Eagle.
For audio and video samples of Cal Poly Arts events, visit
www.calpolyarts.org.
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