Oh Magic
Oh Magic wanders through the wonders of theatrical magic. It is that mysterious unnamable thing we sometimes have the chance to encounter in a piece. But, where does it come from and where does it take us? What fascinates us as a performer or as a spectator? Somewhere between freak and fascination, Simon Mayer and his performers seek for the answers both in technological manipulation and organic oracles.
Oh Magic is a live concert, played by robots and performers. Using musical instruments in an unconventional way they bring dance and performance, music and soundscapes, robotics and visual arts together on stage.
Our futuristic fantasies take shape in today’s technology, which never seizes to fascinate and –even if only a little— grab us by the troat. Our double relationship to robotics is prominently present in the universe of Oh Magic where performers and machines meet, with trembling voices and childlike curiosity.
He finds his desire for the unpolluted answered in oriental, shamanic rituals, trance rituals, in the repetitive nature of folk culture, but just as well in abstract, contemporary dance and experimental music.
Oh Magic, brings together the strength of technological magic, and the enchantment of pure simplicity, and lets them interact without prejudice.
Caroline Lessire
Caroline Lessire
Caroline Lessire
Caroline Lessire
Credits
Compography, concept & performance: Simon Mayer
Co-creation & performance: Clara Frühstück, Patric Redl, Tobias Leibetseder, Manuel Wagner
Sound design: Tobias Leibetseder
Robot operator: Manuel Wagner
Costume design: Andrea Simeon
Lighting design: Heinz Kasper
Master electrician & operator: Jan Maria Lukas
Robotics, electronics, engineering: Dominik Strzelec
Sound: Lukas Froschauer, Rene “Ringo” Grömer
Technical coordination: Gwen Lenoble
Technical director/lighting designer on tour: Jeroen Smith
Dramaturgy: Robert Steijn
Research and anthropologic advice: Justine François, Manuel Wagner
Thanks to: Julian Rubisch, Frans Poelstra, Jason Zieglmaier, Viktor Delev, Jürgen Ropp, Arbeitsplatz Wien, Wim Muyllaert
Presentation: Kunstenfestivaldesarts, Charleroi danse
Production: Hiros, Kopf hoch (Sophie Schmeiser, Anna Erb)
Coproduction: Kunstenfestivaldesarts (BE), Steirischer Herbst Festival (AT), Noorderzon Performing Arts Festival (NL), Gessnerallee (CH), Teaterhuset Avant Garden (NO), BRUT Wien (AT), Centrale Fies (IT), Kunstenwerkplaats Pianofabriek with GC De Kroon (BE)
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
Project co-produced by NXTSTP, with the support of the Culture Programme of the European Union