WHY NOT THE BEAR? #theCage

What do we see here? Nothing special. Just a bear sitting in its cage in the middle of the stage, watching the audience while the audience watches him. It’s hard to say who decides what happens on stage and in the auditorium - the audience, or the bear? And why, in fact, the bear at all?

“WHY NOT THE BEAR?” is an immersive performance and participatory installation, part thoroughly composed, part improvised, in which the audience takes on the role of zoo visitors while providing improvisational impulses and ideas for the performer.

Weird times create weird heroes, and so the character of the depressed bear, created by physical theater artist and clown Lena Binski, emerged from the various experiences of the pandemic period.

The performance is at once a reflection on the turbulences in the world – wars, tensions, natural disasters and their consequences such as depression, anxiety and powerlessness – as well as an attempt to transcend boundaries and foster communication between us humans.

Undoubtedly, forced isolation is a trial – yet freedom remains the most precious thing a human being can have. But how do you fill your life when you are locked up all your life? Does one miss freedom? Or has one resigned oneself to the situation and does not suffer at all? How does one interact with what is happening outside the cage?

Step closer, find out for yourself!