Sounds like War: Kriegserklärung + What You Need To Know
andcompany&Co.
In retrospect World War One was the last war that began with a formal declaration of war. Today the dramaturgy of starting military hostilities by a performative act has become anachronistic. Instead a period of 'international civil war' has begun which did not end in 1918/19 nor in 1945, possibly not even with the end of the Cold War. How to end a war which has never been declared?
The Berlin-based performance group andcompany&Co. play on language, sample meanings and tinker images. In their lecture-concert, which is especially devised for the festivals Theaterformen (Braunschweig) and LIFT (London), they start off on the double-meaning of the German word Kriegserklärung, which signifies a declaration of war but at the same time the explanation of war, they look for the relationship between performance art and the art of warfare, make connections from war memorials to lost colonies, and build a stage as homage to e.e. cummings’ enormous room. andcompany&Co. create a sound of battle with space for many voices – maybe an alternative to the so-called ‘concert of European powers’.
Davis Freeman
In today’s unpredictable world, you truly don't know what might be waiting for you outside your door. What You Need To Know is an attempt to prepare people for those unfortunate circumstances where you might have to defend and protect yourself or the ones you love. The piece in no way promotes violence, but simply supposes that if it has to be you or them, it's better that it's them. Probably...
You will know Davis Freeman as a theatre-maker with his own company, Random Scream, and also as a dancer and performer with his sister Meg Stuart, as well as with Forced Entertainment and Superamas. What You Need To Know won the 2nd prize at the Danse Elargie 2014 competition at Théâtre de la Ville (Paris).
andcompany&Co.
conceived and performed by Alexander Karschnia, Nicola Nord, Sascha Sulimma, Vincent van der Valk&Co. | set design Jan Brokof&Co. | technical director/light design Marc Zeuske | company management Katja Sonnemann | production andcompany&Co., Theaterformen, LIFT Festival London (presented with Battersea Arts Centre) | co-commissioned by LIFT, Festival Theaterformen, 14-18 NOW, WW1 Centenary Art Commissions and Kaaitheater
A House on Fire project, supported by the Cultural Programme of the European Union and the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England.
with the support of VISITBRUSSELS and the Brussels-Capital Region
Davis Freeman
Directed by Davis Freeman | Performed and choreographed by Davis Freeman and three surprise dancers
