We have begun the journey of imagination through rehearsals on a new piece that occupies the territory of fear. We have found that to be in favour or disgrace is to live in fear. Yet, what does that mean, that to be in favour or disgrace, is to live in fear? Favour debases–we either fear to lose it or we fear to win it. Hence, to be in favour or disgrace is to live in fear. These considerations force us to take the body seriously and admit that one can suffer. Yet, what does it mean to take the body seriously and to admit that one can suffer? Perhaps I suffer because I believe myself to be a body. Because if I weren’t a body, how could I suffer?

 

The materiality of the body is an ever-present aspect of our lives. It is a truth we cannot escape. In fact, its materiality conditions the only certainty we have–the ceasing of its matter through death. Yet our dogmatic belief that the body is ours is bizarre considering that we are unable to operate its functions by our supposed will. Our heart either beats or not, regardless of our desire for it to do so or not.

 

We, who operate within the language of the body, find that the materiality of the body is a constant site of conflict. Conflict, because of the oscillation between the self that claims to have power of the body and the body as an entity that operates on its own terms. The body’s materiality is what reveals the dogmatism of thought and questions the notion of the self. The stage provokes these questions simply because it demands a language that remains aware of its artificiality while simultaneously suggesting an ultimate sincerity. The question of conflict within the personal body also extends to national and political bodies. The demarcation of mine and yours is what fuels our current mortal conflicts in Russia, Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Sudan and beyond.

 

We ask, how can we can reflect and create work that questions our preconceived ideas of belonging amidst the fear of losing that which we deem ours?

 

We look forward to inviting you to the work in March 2026–more info will follow!