Saturday, September 14th; Zagreb Youth Theatre; 10+; 50 minutes, nonverbal
The children put larval masks from the theatre’s fund on their faces and magic ensued. Without words, everything was clear. However, this mask is very demanding, requiring precise performance, great concentration, and physical endurance. The first creation was the exercise performance called miseducation.
The theme was school. Although the presented situations are seemingly stereotypical, with masks on their faces, they become astonishing and universal. Everyday problems seem to take on a comical character as if we are watching them from a distance. When we try to be critical and ironic, the mask somehow alleviates it; it neutralises but is allowed to overdo it.
Many of the masks in the show were made by the participants themselves. Each mask is specific, achieved by minimal artistic intervention on a simple form of mask, but this intervention gives it a certain character trait.
