Michel Houellebecq
THE ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
(Les particules élémentaires)
photo Bartosz Maz more photos >>
www.czastki.teatrpolski.wroc.pl
- translation AGNIESZKA DANIŁOWICZ-GRUDZIŃSKA
- adaptation JOLANTA JANICZAK, WIKTOR RUBIN
- directed by WIKTOR RUBIN
- dramaturgy JOLANTA JANICZAK, PIOTR RUDZKI
- set designer, costumes and video MIREK KACZMAREK
- music PIOTR BUKOWSKI
- choreography TOMASZ WYGODA
- lighting designer JUSTYNA ŁAGOWSKA
- project coordinator HANNA FRANKOWSKA
- CAST
- Bruno WIESŁAW CICHY
- Michel ADAM CYWKA
- Man MARCIN CZARNIK/MIROSŁAW HANISZEWSKI
- Annabelle KINGA PREIS
- Anne, Christiane, Hippie, Carroline Yessayan KATARZYNA STRĄCZEK
- Mother, Adjila, Sophie, Woman-Worker DAGMARA MROWIEC
- Grandmother KRZESISŁAWA DUBIELÓWNA
- Bruno’s Father (Serge Clement), Lawyer, Paul, Publisher, Gravedigger MARIAN CZERSKI
- Michel’s Father (Marc Dzierżyński), Vamp-Woman, Saint Nicolas, Hippie, Doctor, Child, Neoman BARTOSZ PORCZYK
- Pele, Hippie Ted, Journalist, Gravedigger, Adversary RAFAŁ KRONENBERGER
- David di Meola, Partner, Hippie MICHAŁ CHOROSIŃSKI
- Ben, Wilmart, Hippie Jimi, Gravedigger, Partner, New Ager, Neoman MICHAŁ MROZEK
- Hippie, Neoman PIOTR MAŁECKI (guest appearance)/JAKUB GIEL
- Voice of Neoman EWELINA BURACZEK
- Voice of Grotowski PIOTR RUDZKI
- Sculpture 1 BEATA KOC
- Sculpture 2 WIESŁAWA MĄCZKA
- Sculpture 3 MIECZYSŁAW PASKA
the opening in Poland at the Świebodzki Train Station Stage on 7 June 2008
licensed from: Authors’ Society ZAiKS, Warsaw, and Polski Theatre in Wrocław
Houellebecq’s The Elementary Particles, a book that caused a scandal, is a huge bestseller and the most widely discussed novel of the last ten years. Wiktor Rubin’s production is a perverse defence of the world of values against liberalism and individualism. The story of the life of two brothers, Bruno and Michel, becomes a metaphor of the history of man – the only species that seems intent on self–destruction. Staged for the first time in Poland and for the third time in the world. Don’t miss it!
the production suitable for adult audiences only
running time: 135 minutes (one intermission)
Tickets
45 zł (norm.), 35 zł (conc.)
Reviews
It is European quality and are fit for any major European stage, whether in Berlin, Paris, London, or Wrocław. Directing is finely honed and acting near–perfect.
Grzegorz Chojnowski, Radio Wrocław
After Lupa and Jarocki, the 1960s and ’70s myth is explored by Wiktor Rubin. Bringing formidable humor and light touch to his staging of Houellebecq’s The Elementary Particles, Rubin sees the above period as the source of the intolerance and decline of modern society. [...] Superbly acted, visionary – if perhaps a bit too close to the original – the production offers another version of the Brave New World à la Huxley, whose message has been persistently smuggled by many Polish directors into their theatrical productions.
Joanna Derkaczew, "Gazeta Wyborcza"
Houellebecq presented a dramatic picture of the modern world. Rubin does not repeat it, but takes the liberty to disagree.
Katarzyna Wachowiak, "Polska – Gazeta Wrocławska"
I don’t like this book but Rubin’s production left me emotionally drained. This might be because it does not flaunt the audacious eroticism or scientific hypotheses taken from the smart–ass writing of Mr. H. The director desexualized the novel and passed over the pornographic philosophy of history contained in it. The Wrocław tale of two men – a molecular biologist (Adam Cywka) and his sexually frustrated brother (Wiesław Cichy) – is not a faithful adaptation of Houellebecq. It is rather a dramatic essay, the mumbo–jumbo of disillusive scenes, a series of bizarre accumulations of emotions found, as if by chance, while reading Houellebecq’s book.
Łukasz Drewniak, "Przekrój"