Merel Severs returns to her self-built arena, where dance and martial arts once again converge in a battle for radical softness.
After her much-acclaimed production titled Try not to know what you know, in Coerced & Freely Given Merel delves deeper into the relationship between care, violence, exhaustion and resilience. With performers Matilde Tommasini (nominated for De Zwaan 2024) and Princess Isatu Hassan Bangura (winner Theo d'Or 2024) at her side, she channels her characteristic energy into a sizzling performance.
Challenging existing capitalist and patriarchal systems, the trio explores a world of intense physical exertion and gentle connection. As raw beats turn into tender embraces, the performers transform the stage into an evocative landscape of possibilities.
Challenging existing capitalist and patriarchal systems, the trio explores a world of intense physical exertion and gentle connection. As raw beats turn into tender embraces, the performers transform the stage into an evocative landscape of possibilities.
By going through the various stages of resistance, anger, depression and solace and coming up with possible alternatives, Severs and her fellow makers offer the audience a place where they can grieve together and also muster a new fighting spirit.
"Three women, six punching bags: an intangible performance about violence and vulnerability. [...] There is a moving scene in which Van Duijnhoven stands at an oscillating punching bag and sways along with it [...] A romantic dance with an object that is constantly on the receiving end of blows, but apparently deserves love too."
concept
- Merel Severs
creation
- Merel Severs
- Milou van Duijnhoven
- Princess Isatu Hassan Bangura
performance
- Merel Severs
- Matilde Tommasini
- Princess Isatu Hassan Bangura
final director
- Jules Petru Fricker
set and costumes
- Publik Universal FrXnd
decor en kostuum assistent
- Áróra Bergsdóttir
light design
- Rob Daanen
sound design
- Mauro Casarini
dramaturgy
- Eylül Fidan Akıncı
directing assistance
- Sam Zanardo
production
- Theater a/d Rijn, aangesloten bij De Nieuwe Oost
coproduction
- De Coproducers
- Stichting Severs
with the support of
- De Coproducers
- Fonds 21 EXTRA
