Dripping with pathos, his face and body crinkling with angst, Blaho Uhlár enters in Stoka's production From a Distance. He pauses, he rails "Dear God, why didn't you give me what you gave the others?" with a theatricality that would have made John Barrymore blush for shame. It is gorgeous. Here is an actor with plenty of gifts, regardless of what God may have withheld - such as a nose of distinction, or even abundantly - as in the size of his ears. Uhlár uses these misbegotten ears to fly across Europe, the ocean and to New York with a Sinatra-esque flourish that has a grand irreverence for that icon. His cries are answered. Not by God exactly, but at least by the Snow Queen, Lucia Piussi, who petulantly assures that she can „grant any wish you want, despite my stature“. Singly and together, the two actors proceed from this scene to others that range indiscriminately over a wide spectrum of topics. There is a lecture, a dance, a variety of discussions and musings, which include the importance of cleaning public toilets while respecting the individualism that leads some people to use every area of the facility except the toilet.

   It's a different sensibility („You are so kind of slightly weird“), wonderful and not like anything you will see elsewhere. Born of work done over five months, From A Distance sometimes does feel as if it is still evolving. The „multi-topical“ framework does not always string together coherently but the performers have this soaring confidence in their own creativity that never fails and they bring you along to enjoy this take on life. As Uhlár posits at one point, „Sad artists spread sadness. And who on earth is interested in that?“ Even doom lovers will find something in production to enjoy.

   Theatre Stoka has the stated goal of „elevating the independence of the creators to the highest level of importance“, which could be a FringeU topic in itself.