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panna czinka - Dance of the witches - Independent Theater Hungarypanna czinka - dance of the witch
czinka panna - boszorkánycsárdás
The play Czinka Panna – The Dance of the Witch written by Barnabás Boda-Novy presents the life and courage of the legendary female Gypsy violinist. Panna was not afraid to oppose the conventions of the age that a woman's fate is to raise children and run a household. Thanks to her talent and landlowner's support, she had a great career as a virtuoso violinist, founding the first Gypsy band, smoking a pipe, and wearing men’s clothing.
Accompanied by romantic, authentic music, the piece depicts the woman who defined Gypsy music in Hungary for centuries and became a dominant figure in Roma culture.
'In addition, it’s important that Panna takes a different kind of female path than what
was assigned to her, and what is usually assigned to Gypsy girls even today in many
places. You can choose love and a profession at the same time, since something can
happen to women, too.'
- Emília Boda-Novy, director
Creators
trailer
Background
The ill-fated Panna Czinka, already at the age of 9, played her violin in a way that amazed people. Thanks to her talent, her landowner paid for her to learn the violin, and by the age of 12 the little Gypsy girl had become a virtuoso artist. She travelled the country in a Gypsy caravan, practised, played music diligently, went into hiding when she had to, and played when she was allowed to. Once, the caravan was staying near the camp of a Hungarian regiment, from where a handsome officer appeared. Despite all the bitterness of the young woman's fate, she welcomed him with an open heart. Love blossoms between them minute by minute. The Hungarian soldier and the Gypsy girl set out on their journey together. But the persecution of the Gypsies affect both their lives. Their love is overshadowed by the many grievances, grudges and the love of one’s people.
Is the saying true that love conquers all? If you had to choose between a relationship and a career, who would you choose? Can different origins put an end to love with a capital L? The love story is fiction, but the performance describes historically accurate events. Seventy minutes of time-travel accompanied by authentic live music, we show the era and the woman who was the first to make breakthrough for Gypsy music.
Focus scene
Reviews
‘Panna Czinka is not presented as a historical character, but the story of a fictional relationship is written into her character: the protagonist falls in love with a non-Roma soldier, and the play follows the journey of the two. The title character is played by Ramóna Farkas, the soldier and other characters are played by Máté Pásztor. The relationship begins over a card game: from this scene, a relationship unfolds before the audience through which many social issues are thematized in the couple's conversations and quarrels. What boundaries does society set for a gypsy woman? What stereotypes about Roma are repeated as truth in the guise of good intentions and understanding? How far should a male partner be allowed to go in an affair? When should we say no and choose ourselves over the other?’
MÉRCE‘For many reasons, Czinka Panna is a play that appeals to the widest audience. It is both in the folk theatre tradition and on the much more popular musical-romcom axis. The two protagonists are driven by curiosity and the need to get to know each other. The Roma and the non-Roma point of view are present at the same time. In the meantime, neither party is afraid to point out or ridicule the prejudices of the other.’
SZÍNHÁZ MAGAZINEMaterials to read
excerpts from the playphoto credits
All rights reserved
*left -> right*
1: ©Alina Vincze_Ramóna Farkas
2: ©Alina Vincze_Máté Pásztor, Ramóna Farkas
3: ©Alina Vincze_Ramóna Farkas
4-5: ©Alina Vincze_Ramóna Farkas, Máté Pásztor
6: ©Alina Vincze_Ramóna Farkas