Even Steven & Mary's Dance

The first part entitled Even Steven is most
demanding on the dancers and tests both their attention and concentration in the
controlled performance of simple ballet steps that differ only in minor
details, and eventually reflect the effort that the dancers have taken upon
themselves without objection or contradiction. Such is additionally underlined
by their countenance: patient, with short hair and dressed in black tights and
white shirts, give the impression of obedient girlhood-ness. In the last part, Mary's
Dance, they are transformed into large-breasted women dressed in black
glittering latex who are engaged in a compeletely different communication. By
such attire the performers draw attention to the image imposed on women by
society; the artists do not identify with this image but, due to its violence
and aggressiveness, rather underline it. If at the beginning they appeared as
two girls, now they have become two manipulated females who through the
occasional pouring of water and moving across the dampened floor create zig-zag
lines – like the traces of shortness and passing.

This project composed of long repetitive sequences,
separated by playful and at times soul-stirring intrusions, which are permeated
throughout by absurdity, is complemented by interventions by special guest
musicians. This adaptation for the City
of Women, by way of which Livingstone and Kravas are
presenting their project in Europe for the
first time, shall encompass two evenings. In Mary's Dance on the second
night the authors will be accompanied by cellist Bo Wiget, as well as guest of this year's Festival, singer and
cellist Bonfire Madigan. A special surprise will be provided by musicians
and volunteers from Ljubljana…
Ana Perne

Organisation:
City of Women
In
collaboration with: Bunker/Stara elektrarna,
Zavod Emanat, Plesni teater Ljubljana