*I was a guest of the Chamaeleon Theatre*
Last weekend, I had the delightful opportunity to travel to Berlin and see the Chamaeleon Theatre‘s latest offering: ‘Memories of Fools’.
‘Memories of Fools‘ is probably the most distinct show that I’ve seen at the Chamaeleon. It’s performed by the award-winning circus company Cirk La Putyka from Prague. It was more narratively driven than most of their shows and had quite a distinct story and characters for us to care about.
There were elements of really interesting puppetry, magic tricks, acrobatics, acting and some really beautiful dancing. I was particularly struck by the incredible soundtrack that underscored the show. I’d be willing to buy it, I enjoyed it so much. I also wanted to give huge props to Hynek Drizhal’s stunning set with its ladder-like/picture frame flexibility it was absolutely perfect.
From the outset, it wasn’t perhaps the most physically visceral show that I’ve experienced. Often with new circus, I feel tension in my body as I watch the performers twist and contort and pull off unimaginable physical acts. Which isn’t to say that this wasn’t present in Memories but I was able to watch the first half somewhat more passively. But I don’t believe that was what Memories was trying to achieve with this show. Here the “tricks” were part of the story, not the story itself. This created a childlike atmosphere that built beautifully.
But that all changed after the interval. If the first half of the show was driving towards setting up the second-half, oh what a second half it was. The second half was surreal, raucous, dangerous, ecstatic and touching.
There’s a scene that I can only call the “party on the moon” where astronauts dance with Donnie Darko sized rabbits, Elvis and a matador engage each other in feats of acrobatics; there’s a dancing acid-style Amadeus and so much more. It was one of my favourite 5 minutes of theatre ever. I wanted to be at their party. Space never looked so less lonely.
Was the show all a child’s dream? Was it the memory of an old man dying at home? A figment of his imagination? The fantasies of a dying astronaut after a space disaster? Well that’s for each viewer to decide, and I love that nearly everyone in the audience walked away from the show having taken something different from it.
If the show had a thesis it would be: “Are our memories making fools of us all?” And I suppose the answer to that question would be, well it depends on who you ask. But being a fool never looked so fun before.
The Chamaeleon is celebrating 15 years this year, and it’s been an absolute joy to have had this amazing relationship with them over the past 3 years. Every show that they’ve mounted has been surprising and different and I’ve been delighted to see them grow from strength to strength and travel on a small part of this journey with them. Here’s to many more years!
The Chamaeleon Theatre is located in the Hackesche Höfe, Rosenthaler Straße 40/41, 10178 Berlin-Mitte
You can book tickets to their shows here.
***I was a guest of the theatre, but as always, all my thoughts and opinions are forever my own.***
I can’t recommend visiting the theatre more if you are in Berlin! The great thing about their shows as a tourist is that because they are physically based, there is never any issue with a language difference.
Would you catch a show in Berlin?
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