Simon Mayer (AT/BE)

Oh Magic

G
Music / Performance
P
Graz
 

How can art and spirituality be brought together? Simon Mayer mounts a choreographic concert with a man-machine lineup culminating in a celebration of liberated joie de vivre.

Oh Magic (Foto: Caroline Lessire)

Tips


The herbst ticket blocks!

Bacchae – Prelude to a Purge

roboexotica

Workshop

Education


Talks

Premiere in the German-speaking region

 

Sat 23/09 & Sun 24/09, 19.30

Dom im Berg

70’

19 €

 

Talk following the performance on Sun 24/09


Human beings and robots, light, sound and costume design are the actors of this high-octane evening full of magic. Simon Mayer sets out in search of free artistic expression, blending all sorts of genres and styles so as to facilitate sensual, exciting forms of playing and performing free from academic perfectionism. Over and over again the group’s dynamic interactions give rise to trance-like moments in which perception and physical strength combine to create an enthralling rhythm. Gravity and earnestness give way to playful improvisations, inspiring in the audience the joy of discovery of performers who invent ever new sounds, light effects and choreographies.

“Oh Magic” marks an impressive new stage in the artistic journey of Simon Mayer who started his career with contemporary choreographies based on traditional forms of folk culture found in his Upper Austrian home, including yodelling and Schuhplattler. Mayer’s new work examines fundamental questions regarding the spiritual potential of theatre: What is this mysterious, inexpressible aspect that accompanies many a play? This evening it consists in an ephemeral symphony of movements, sounds, light, costume design and technology which, for a few brief moments, whisks the audience away to a realm beyond reality. It’s truly magic!

Compography, concept and performance Simon Mayer
By and with Clara Frühstück, Tobias Leibetseder, Patric Redl, Manuel Wagner
Sound design Tobias Leibetseder
Robot operator Manuel Wagner
Costume design Andrea Simeon
Lighting design Heinz Kasper
Head of technique and operator Jan Maria Lukas
Robotics, electronics and engineering Dominik Strzelec
Sound Lukas Froschauer, René “Ringo” Grömer
Dramaturgy Robert Steijn
Research and anthropologic advice Justine François, Manuel Wagner

Produced by Hiros, Kopf Hoch
Co-produced by steirischer herbst, Kunstenfestivaldesarts, Noorderzon Performing Arts Festival, Gessnerallee, Teaterhuset Avant Garden, brut Wien, Centrale Fies, Kunstenwerkplaats Pianofabriek with GC De kroon
With the support of Vlaamse Overheid, Kulturabteilung der Stadt Wien, Bundeskanzleramt Österreich, Österreichisches Kulturforum Brüssel
In collaboration with Tanzquartier Wien, D.ID Dance Identity, SPIEL, Klavierhaus A. Förstl
Co-presented by NXTSTP, with the support of the Culture Programme of the European Union
Project sponsor Klavierhaus Fiedler & Sohn

steirischer herbst
Head of project management Dominik Jutz
Project management Philipp Forthuber
Technical management Karl Masten

Grazer Spielstätten
Project management Kurt Schulz

Simon Mayer (AT/BE)

Simon Mayer, born in 1984, works as a dancer and choreographer and as a musician and performance artist. After studying at Vienna’s State Opera Ballet School and the Performing Arts, Research and Training Studios (P.A.R.T.S.) in Brussels, Mayer was a member of the State Ballet. However, his choreographic repertoire extends beyond the boundaries of classical ballet: among others, he has been involved in contemporary productions by Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker, Wim Vandekeybus and Zita Swoon. Mayer also conceives and presents his own performances; his latest – “Oh Magic” – will be on show at steirischer herbst 2017. He is also a singer and song-writer for the band Rising Halfmoon, artistic director of the SPIEL festival, and a dance teacher and lecturer.

//simonmayer.at