THE ERGOT //

METAMORPHOSIS OF HOSPITALITY AND BLEAKNESS

The highly poisonous Claviceps purpurea, commonly known as black rye or „ergot” has contaminated the grain. This grain is then baked into bread, killing crowds of people who convulsively dance in the public space, intoxicated by the poison. They offer each other bread with salt. What does “ours, the traditional” mean today? To what extent are we truly a hospitable nation? Has conflict ever been resolved through silence? This production embodies the metaphor of the Dancing Plague and gives voice to the younger generation, who acknowledge their lethargy as a consequence of slow destruction.

The production includes a 20-minute radio play, during which a live cinema film directed by Ráchel Rimarčíková is projected onto the set. This creates an alternative space that contrasts with the other two-thirds of the production. This multimedia approach transforms the poetics of the author’s text, establishing deliberate connections between the audience and the production team. Through this artistic strategy, Rimarčíková brings radio production to her audience outside the traditional listening environment, demonstrating its theatrical impact.

Through seemingly unrelated sounds and images, the production provides insight into the younger generation’s perspectives on the present situation in their future homeland.

Production of The Ergot took place in Dream Factory Festival 2025 in Ostrava.