Ofelia Grey’s semi-autobiographical play, Cafe de Profundis, is an intimate work well-suited to smaller venues such as Melostranska beseda Klub.

A large orange orb dominates centre stage as Opelia, dressed in white, slowly manipulates it using a series of balancing movement to maintain equilibrium. Changing into a coat she settles at the bistro table at the side of the stage and begins her narrative.

There is barista Sebastien, who never appears and doesn’t ever answer. There’s an espresso cafetiere, draped in a tablecloth that speaks and knows exactly which words torment. Along with a papier mâché fish who represents a memory of an imaginary childhood friend that disappeared.

Ofelia entertains for 50 mins by means of masks and costumes changing into different roles. A tramp in a black costume, an abused child in a mask, a skilled circus juggler specializing in juggling one, two, three and…oops! Four shiny golden sticks. Each of the characters show a vulnerability.

Cafe de Profundis is a mixture of dance movement, mime, juggling, and puppetry and we must not forget her skill with a hula hoop.

Sometimes the performance is moved along with the spoken word and at others she speaks in a series of gurgles, chuckles and moans to develop the story. It is a piece that explores fears, repressed memories and uncertainties.

The dynamic punk-cabaret music, composed by Martha Theuma and Luke Cheree, provides a powerful accompaniment.

Ofelia is a circus performer with 13 years of experience showcased in this one women’s circus play with a combination of a highly skilled juggling performance and visual design. There was a technical hitch before the show, which started late, and maybe this accounted for the fact that Ophelia never seemed fully engaged despite her obvious circus skills.

For more information about Cafe du Profundis at the Prague Fringe please use the link below.

3 Stars

Reviewed by Nina Gardner.

https://www.praguefringe.com/

https://www.praguefringe.com/programme/cafe-de-profundis-a-surreal-portrait-of-a-circus-artist/