DIDO DIDO

DIDO DIDO is an up-close confrontation with mythical Queen Dido's tragic fate. Director/choreographer Nicole Beutler and het musical counterpart Romain Bischoff took their inspiration for this performance from Henry Purcell's most celebrated aria: 'Dido's Lament' from the opera Dido and Aeneas. Defeated by love and forsaken by her people, Dido decides to take her own life. "Remember me, but forget my fate." It is the paradox in these last words however, that make her fate so hard to forget. Five singer-musicians and one dancer are impassioned by Dido, as they breathe life into a puppet based on the Japanese tradition of bunraku. As in a feverish dream they penetrate the very heart of Dido's despair and will-power. With instruments from different corners of the world they deconstruct, repeat and rearrange the classical aria. In doing so, they are delaying the inevitable end, carving out time and space for a gentle letting go. DIDO DIDO: an incantational parting opera that crawls deep under the skin.


Audience reactions:

Honestly, one of the most beautiful productions this season, if you ask me. - Bregje Maatman

An intense performance we enjoyed immensely! It was very special to see an aria performed in so many different ways. - Olga Streurman

I like to explain things, understand what I'm looking at. With Dido Dido I felt I had to let go of that. Just let the things they make us see and hear come in. As an audience member, I will just surrender to image and sound. Then, a beautiful performance unfolds. It seemed as though I was watching creating process and result at the same time. - Jan Frijters

This was unbelievable! I am lost for words... Just loved it!! I loved Ulrike's play last year, so was very curious to the collaboration. Sublime. - Maya Mutlu

Impressive how DIDO DIDO can evoke feelings such as heartache, farewell, letting go - the storm inside of you, just as restless as it is turbulent - thus nuanced in image, music and song. In a lucid and ingenious direction, thanks to the jumble of song, choreography and puppet show in which the presence of some exotic, barely known musical instruments (from all possible places) was essential as well as necessary. - Anonymous
Everything was perfect, hit the spot: an ‘awesome' concert. - Freddy Sartor

Unbelievably beautiful performance yesterday in the small theatre 'De Lawei' in Drachten. Lost for words. They're not necessary. Words aren't always useful. Then you'll get 'theatrically inventive', and that sounds so banal and general. And still, that is what you did and what I’ve been watching breathlessly for ninety minutes. - Hans de Clerq

A performance impossible to ever forget. - Martien Vogelezang

A few weeks ago I went to see the performance in Breda with my mother. It was an unforgettable experience that touched us both very deeply. Really beautiful. - Felix Schellekens

Never seen this before. Very special thanks for a beautiful evening. – Visitor Leiden

Moving and beautiful, long ago since I had tears in my eyes at a performance. – Visitor Leiden

I saw this for the second time, still amazing. – Visitor Leiden

Beautiful. Seen many Dido’s, even played one, but now I could hardly stop crying, very moved. Thank you. – Visitor Drachten

Shirokuro was amazing, DIDO DIDO was just as impressive and intense. –Visitor Drachten

Deeply moved. – Visitor The Hague

I didn’t understand a thing. – Visitor Tilburg

Breathlessly watched those beautiful subdued dance movements. – Visitor Almere

Beautifully told play, such pure song, and daring, so serene, also as she’s engulfed by the waves. - Visitor Almere

Concept: Nicole Beutler, Romain Bischoff
Direction, choreography: Nicole Beutler
Musical direction: Romain Bischoff
Co-creators, performers: Arnout Lems, Heather Ware, Maya Alban-Zapata, Michaela Riener, Raphaela Danksagmüller, Tiemo Wang
Design puppet, coaching puppetry: Ulrike Quade
Costumes: Jessica Helbach
Set and light design: Sascha van Riel
Music: Henry Purcell, Wouter Snoei and performers
Assistant director & dramaturgy: Fabienne Vegt
Puppet maker: Watanabe Kazunori
Painting backdrop: Ellen Windhorst and Bas Peeperkorn
Assistant choirs: Els Mondelaers
Assistant puppeteer: Tim Hammer, Pluck Venema
Puppeteering workshops: Ruben Mardulier, Suze van Miltenburg
Technicians: Martin Kaffarnik, Wouter Snoei
Production: NBprojects, Silbersee, Ulrike Quade Company
Thanks to: Hillary Blake Firestone, Natascha Young, Wout van Tongeren, Justa Ter Haar, Keren Levi and all participating choirs
Campaign image: Corinne Mercadier, Fata Morgana, serie Solo, 2012, courtesy Galerie Les filles du calvaire, Paris
Graphic design: Connie Nijman
Scene photography: Anja Beutler
Teaser: Bowie Verschuuren
Trailer: Bas de Brouwer
Made possible by the support of: Amsterdams fonds voor de kunst, Fonds 21, VSBfonds, Fonds Podiumkunsten.

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