With global temperatures rising every year and 2023 being hottest year on record, the topic of the climate crisis increasingly finds its way to the world of art. One such example is performance A Play for the Living in a Time of Extinction, which premiered this weekend in the Lithuanian National Drama Theatre. It was powered entirely with the electricity generated and stored in two unique exercise bikes. The performance, directed by British director Katie Mitchell, was executed by a Lithuanian team and is a part of a bigger initiative STAGES taking place in 14 European theaters.
Two bikes power the entire performance
A Play for the Living in a Time of Extinction is a monologue written by the American dramatist Miranda Rose Hall. The main character narrates the history of Earth, explaining the formation and extinction of its various species. The storyline underscores the potential role of humans in causing the sixth mass extinction.
M. Rose Hall and K. Mitchell adapted the play for easy replication in any country. In total, 14 European theaters joined the STAGES (Sustainable Theatre Alliance for a Green Environmental Shift) initiative, localizing the play while also adhering to a few conditions that emphasize sustainability.
Fo instance, the show had to be off the grid, meaning that electricity had to be generated during the performance on stage. Lithuanian local director Antanas Obcarskas chose to power the performance with two exercise bikes “HR Bank”, created by a Lithuanian startup Tukas EV, that focuses on renewable energy solutions.
With only 15 minutes of pedaling, one bike produces enough electricity to charge a smartphone, while 3 hours of pedaling generates enough energy for the entire 1,5 hour performance. During the show, two actors pedaled two bikes, providing electricity for the entire show, including the lightning. Over the year, there will be several more such performances.
“When we created the bike we never imagined that it would be used on stage during such a performance in the national Lithuanian theater. However, this performance showcases the versatility of HR Bank. It can power your laptop, smartphone or even provide energy for the whole house, regardless of where you live,” says Jonas Navickas, CEO of Tukas EV.
Environment-friendly materials
According to J. Navickas, the sustainable theater initiative STAGES is a good match for HR Bank, since Tukas EV consistently emphasized eco-friendly solutions from the beginning. HR Bank not only has a 2 kWh integrated battery storing green electricity but is also made from eco-friendly materials
“Sustainability in production is a continuous responsibility rather than a passing trend. We understand that the materials we choose today have lasting implications for the future. Having it in mind, we made HR Bank from recycled aluminum and FSC-certified birch plywood, thus reducing the need for new resources and cutting down energy use in production,” he adds.
Apart from eco-friendliness, the Tukas EV team wanted to make HR Bank comfortable for all kinds of users. Therefore the device offers complete customization, is available in a variety of colors and materials, and is easily transportable, thanks to the trolley-style wheels.
Additionally, it also comes with an optional desk attachment, making it ideal for both home and office use. This type of focus on adaptability encourages long-term usage, resonating with a commitment to sustainable consumer practices.
