Chronicles - A LamentationSong of the Goat Poland's International Theatre in Los Angeles.

Joanna Klass of Arden 2 from Newport Beach/Costa Mesa introduced, to the University of California in Los Angeles, Poland's renowned Song of the Goat Theater Company (or Teatr Piesn Kozla) that will present live, performing its internationally award-winning work Chronicles - A Lamentation / KRONIKI - OBYCZAJ LAMENTACYJNY, based on the ancient Sumerian poem "Epic of Gilgamesh." Directed by Grzegorz Bral.

"This show is a sumptuous, memorable and musically awe-inspiring version of the story of part man, part-god Gilgamesh in search of immortal life," Komedia Co. UK.

Chronicles - A Lamentation extraordinarily strong in its vitality, precision and expression received The Guardian's award for Best International show, the Scotsman Fringe First and Herald Angel in 2004 festival Edinburgh Fringe. The Company previously won the Grand Prix at Poland' prestigious Festival of Acting in Kalish in May 2003, for its serious and beautiful ensemble work.

Theatre Piesn Kozla has its own studio in the heart of City of Wroclaw. It is located in refectory of a 14th century Monastery, after spending its first four years in residence at the Jerzy Grotowski Center for Theater Cultural Research. The Piesn Kozla Company continues the long tradition of Poland ensemble theatre work and, through its dedication to ongoing research in the actor's craft and its vocal and movement techniques has created a unique performance style. It has been hailed as the most exciting and innovative of the new Avant-garde theatre movement in Poland.

Chronicles - A Lamentation is the culmination of the company's two years research in to the music of lamentation and polyphonic singing which they found in Northern Epiros, the cradle of Ancient Greek Drama.

"The subject matter of many voices, 'The one who weaves, the one who cuts, the one who gives or takes and the drone', is so poignantly relevant to our times, it has deeply moved audiences and, since the performance is sung live and danced, has crossed barriers of language and culture," said Grzegorz Bral and Anna Zubrzycki, founders of the Piesn Kozla Theater in 1997.

The performance has been described by critics as the most interesting of the past few seasons. ...outstanding, a perfect performance, visually beautiful, it restores your faith in theater and penetrates new artistic realms.

I heard that these acrobatic somersaults, this ballet in the air, this pantomime of the beyond was one of the many miracles of performance in Chronicles - A Lamentation. Wlodzimierz Staniewski the leader of the Gardzienice Company said, " This is a masterpiece with healing qualities." After another performance Yoshi Oida, the actor who has been the longest with Peter Brook declared that, " In Europe such a technique of working with actors can only be found in Poland."

"Sound and Movement come together and flow as one vast ocean, washing over you in wave after wave of emotion" said Lyn Gardner from "The Guardian".

Chronicles - A Lamentation runs approximately 45 minutes with no intermission. It will be shown at 8 p.m. on Wednesday-Saturday, Oct. 12-15; and at 2 and 7 p.m. on Sunday, Oct 16 at Freud Playhouse on the UCLA campus.

Appreciation and acknowledgment deserves Joanna Klass for researching International Theaters, introducing the very fascinating Song of the Goat to Los Angeles audiences and for making all the arrangements for the Theater members arriving to the USA, including organizing workshops for students in many locations.

The Piesn Kozla Theatre is an International ensemble Co. with members from the UK, Sweden, Norway and France as well as Poland and draws young performers from all over the world to participate in its extensive artistic and pedagogical programs. It organizes workshops regularly over the year, teaching its own unique approach to the actors craft.

Jadwiga Inglis, International Correspondent VIP-High Life from Hollywood California