Cartoon theatre to blow your mind

This acclaimed “cartoon theatre” show from the Czech Republic will be staged at the University of Johannesburg's Arts Centre from 18 to 22 March 2009, for five shows only.

František Kratochvil's Black Light Theatre of Prague features a 10-member company from the Divaldo Metro, based in Prague. It uses simple graphic lines, created with special ultra-violet light effects.

Black cabinet

The show has its origins in the “black cabinet” tradition, which involves characters dressed in black moving against a black background and, therefore, becoming imperceptible to the human eye. Among Czech theatre practitioners, this illusionist practice has evolved into an art form that strives to express messages in an unusual way. A single line can become a chair, a car, a cloud or a horse -without using a single word.

Recognising the potential of the black-cabinet technique, sculptor and graphic designer František Kratochvil incorporated drawing with comedy to free the line of its creator and take on a life and personality of its own. The result is cartoon theatre - a non-verbal form of stage craft.

Life is Life will be performed at the UJ Arts Centre in Auckland Park, on 18, 19, 20 and 21 March at 8.15pm, and on Sunday, 22 March, at 2.30pm. Tickets are priced from R150, with discounts for students and senior citizens. Book at the theatre box-office or at Computicket.