Ilka SCHÖNBEIN founded the theater Meschugge. Under her artistic direction, numerous plays were created. She will be accompanied by Alexandra LUPIDI, mezzo-soprano, composer, instrumentalist and Suska KANZELER in her new play „Do you know what, then dance now / Eh bien, dansez maintenant“. Pauline Drünert plays: – Straw to Gold … and other spins / Ricdin-Ricdon, accompanied by Alexandra Lupidi.
C R E A T U R E S
Live music: ALEXANDRA LUPIDI, SUSKA KANZLER
Music composed by ALEXANDRA LUPIDI
Puppetry built by ILKA SCHÖNBEIN
Assistant director: ANJA SCHIMANSKI
Set: SUSKA KANZLER
Lighting design, light and sound technician: ANJA SCHIMANSKI
Opening: September 2017 at the World’s Puppetry Festival, Charleville-Mézière, France
Producer: Theater Meschugge
Co-producer and residencies: FMTM – Festival Mondial des Théâtres de Marionnettes de
Charleville-Mézières, France, Scène Nationale de Sète, l’agora at Billère
With the support of the DRAC Ile-de-France
Director’s notes
„Well, dance the winter away now!“ says the ant to the grasshopper, who in his misery has
begged for a crumb of bread. And so the little grasshopper dances. Maybe she’ll touch the ant’s
heart?
She dances on one leg, she dances on her hands, she dances on her head, she dances for her
life, she dances with death. She dances the dance of all creatures. The dance of existence.
Everybody dances it in his her its own way. As well, as beautifully, as creatively as he she it
possibly can. To please the one or ones who our existence or non-existence in this world
depends on. So that they let us live. Us, the creature. Us, the creation.
Another little while at least, or an eternity… a little one…
Another day, thinks the mayfly
Another summer, pleads the grasshopper
Another year, begs the little old lady
Being both creature and creator, I’ll let my creations dance one more time. For me, their
creator who brings them to life. And for you, dear public, who may give them work and bread
and … your love.
Each one of them will try in his own way to touch your heart with his misery and with his art
– The little grasshopper surprised by the harsh winter while singing
– The fish floundering in his net
– The spider that is such a good neighbour to people but gets chased away from any corner.
But also the little old lady with her grace and fragility reminding us that we are already in this
world people of both worlds. All of them – and who knows who else – will dance for their life,
on the boards that mean the world to them.
They’ll dance for your mercy’s sake. In order to exist.
One more time, one more little while, one more little eternity …
only one more time, one more time, one more …
Ilka Schönbein – September 2016