A clownesque physical theatre
The encounter between humans and penguins in the fascinating world of Antartica takes center stage in “Penguin Fishing”.
The Antarctic is the last almost untouched part of nature. Although climate change and mining for raw materials destroys the Arctic and its not so eternal ice irretrievably, there is still hope for the fascinating icescape and rich wildlife of the Antarctic. International agreements protect this valuable region for now, but multiply research stations from all around the globe were already built there to profit from the resources, when these agreements will be suspended.
Additionally, more and more tourists coming to this unspoilt landscape. A contradiction appears here clearly: On the one hand people are sensible to the fragility of nature, on the other hand they interfere with it and change it permanently.
“Penguin People” narrates its story in a clear form with almost no words to mimic the universal language of wildlife. We use different performing technics from physical theatre to clown theatre and masked theatre: Penguin beaks transform into big clown noses. Clownesque, rhythmic and artistic performances tell us about the life in the eternal ice. Humans appear as giant puppets. Scientists and tourists in glaring parkas, warming caps and big glasses meet curious penguins. The audience becomes a protagonist, a observer on a cruise liner. Penguins float in the aquatic realm via video recordings while puppet fishes accompany them.