British Physical Theater Gecko Performs in Batumi
Multi-award winning and internationally acclaimed British physical theater company Gecko presented ‘Institute,’ an intimate, funny and moving exploration of what it means to care, at Batumi Art Center on 12, 13 and 14 August.
Institute uses movement, imagery and a range of choreographic styles to further explore the complexity of human behavior. As well as being visually captivating, Institute is extremely intimate and often very funny- an incisive dissection of the way we nurture and care for ourselves and each other.
According to the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports of Adjara, the three-day performance of Gecko was a big hit, highly appreciated by local and foreign audience members alike.
"I was particularly impressed by the performance. All the movements were very dynamic and intriguing,” Natia Sirabidze, Deputy Minister of Education, Culture and Sports of Adjara said after the performance.
Gecko has a reputation for generating unique worlds, exquisite stage craft and breath-taking choreography from the all-male cast led by Director Amit Lahav and three other participants: Ryen Perkins-Gangnes, Francois Testory and Chris Evans.
“Institute shows male psychology and human relationships…It is physically and emotionally expressive,” Amit Lahav told Batumi local broadcaster, Adjara TV.
A Gecko show is visual, visceral, ambitious theater crafted to inspire, move and entertain. Gecko strives to make their work wide open to interpretation and put their audience at the heart of the narrative.
With an expanding ensemble of international performers and makers, Gecko works across diverse age groups, nationalities and forms. The company tours nationally and internationally and continues to develop strong partnerships around the world.
Moreover, Gecko is an artist-led organization and the creation of artistic product drives all conversations from education to marketing. The creation process is incredibly rigorous and productive to ensure the high quality demanded by Gecko. It is a proven process which has created six celebrated shows over a decade in this way.
The performances in Batumi were held as a result of the long term partnership between the British Council and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport of Adjara Autonomous Republic.
The tour was the part of the Performing Arts Support Program of the British Council and Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport of Adjara, in order to strengthen the capacity of the Georgian theater sector through introducing UK expertise.
The partnership project is being developed in two directions: capacity building of the theaters in Adjara, and creative collaboration with UK companies.
Thea Morrison