about the production
Can we still experience our own lives and perceive the present moment? Today, in an era of dispersed attention and a multitude of parallel perceptions, is it possible to radically cut ourselves off from our surrounds and truly relax? Radical Relax by the Budapest-based Katona József Theatre Színház brings to Divadelná Nitra a unique perspective on the quest for peace and the meaning in today’s rapidly changing world. Author and director Jakab Tarnóczi made a production about three young people. Looking for content for their podcast, out of curiosity, they venture out a remote meditation camp. The camp, inspired by Buddhist principles, is led by charismatic leader Zsolt, along with his assistants Soma and a Swedish lady, Freya who fled her native Scandinavia escaping problems at home. To find inner peace, the camp participants have to put away all the accomplishments of modern times, and remain silent during meals, to focus on simple actions such as breathing and chewing. Radical Relax is more than just a story about escaping technological progress and the crushing everydayness. Tarnóczi combines humour, absurdity and multimedia elements in the production, breaking down traditional stage forms and blurring the boundaries between actors and audience. Radical Relax poses questions about what it means to do nothing and how to find authenticity in the digital age. The production is characterised by the distinctive style of the young director, who is already known in international theatre community with his professionally acclaimed productions, such as Melancholy Room and Extázis. Radical Relax brings to Divadelná Nitra a fresh take on generational themes and appeals to a wider audience. It promises entertainment, yet also a deeper probe into the issues of identity, freedom and the quest for balance in modern life.
creators
dramaturgy: Anna Hámor, Zsófia Varga
set design: Botond Devich
costumes design: Dóra Pattantyus
choreography: Emese Cuhorka
lyrics: Zsófi Kemény
music: LEVIMATE
camera operators: Marcell Török, Bálint Kovács
cast: Kelemen Barna Bányai, Bence Béres, Júlia Mentes, Dániel Pásztor, Judit Rezes, Vivien Rujder, Vilmos Vajdai, Levente Bencsik, Máté Hunyadi
director
Jakab Tarnóczi
A graduate from the University of Theatre and Film Arts (SZFE) in Budapest in 2019, Mr Tarnóczy specialised in musical theatre directing under the tutelage of Tamás Ascher. During his studies at SZFE, he participated in various university productions and collaborated on a range of theatre projects. In 2021, he continued his studies at FAMU in Prague, where he attended the Summer Film School for International Students. Since 2019, he has been working as an independent director, focusing on new adaptations and original projects. In 2020, he joined the Katona József Theatre in Budapest as resident director and member of the artistic direction team. Since 2021, he has been teaching at Freeszfe, where he passes on his knowledge to the next generations of directors. His work largely focuses on the integration of music into theatre, with an emphasis on musical theatre. He is also often the author or co-author of the scripts for his productions. His work has been recognised with numerous awards and nominations, including the 2024 Hungarian Theatre Critics’ Awards, where his production Extasis won the Best Stage and Best Supporting Actress awards. Throughout his career, he has participated in prestigious festivals, such as the 2023 Prague Quadrennial, where his project Winterreise.box won the Best Design Award in the Country and Regions Exposition. His productions earned him multiple nominations and awards, such as Melancholy Rooms for the 2022 Hungarian Theatre Critics’ Award and Farewell Concert at the 2020 Voila Europe Theatre festival in London, where he won the OffFest Theatre Festival Award. Focusing on classic plays, musical theatre and innovative adaptations, his journey as stage director continues to be shaped by the exploration of new ideas and the pursuit of excellence in classical and contemporary theatre.