This past weekend, ‘Unsex Me Here’ took the stage at Sophiensaele, where Maria F. Scaroni and Olympia Bukkakis presented their first performative collaboration. Being both choreographers and protagonists they use dance and drag to reinterpret the figures of the Queen and the Witch through a queer, contemporary lens. These roles are presented as complex identities shaped by history and lived experience. The performance explores power, care, transformation and femininity through drag, trans femme and perimenopausal, childfree experiences. Putting the focus on feminine characters that give life in other ways than childbirth.
Avant-garde costumes and movements shape the visual language of the performance. A playful yet deeply sincere view on identity and womanhood. One performer embodies confidence and control, while the other appears chaotic and uncomfortable. Together they felt like two sides of the same person. A monologue mixed with poetry, dance, singing and drag felt completely fitting to tell this complex and confusing tale of identity. From Lady Macbeth to Lady Gaga, they had it all. Even the Pope made an appearance.
TEAM:
Concept, choreography, performance: Maria F. Scaroni, Olympia Bukkakis
Lighting design, technical direction: Hanna Kritten Tangsoo
Sound: Malu Peeters
Set: Camille Lacadee
Costume: Hungry, with additional pieces by Jay Barry Matthews and Alexis Mersmann
Production: Anna Chwialkowska
Production assistance, artistic collaboration: Camila Malenchini
words + photos by Angelina Masi
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34th issue of KEYI MAGAZINE with JEFF MILLS on the cover
