Stockholm
It's a Tragedy
“Tragedy, then, is an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude; in language embellished with each kind of artistic ornament, /.../ in the form of action, not of narrative; through incidents arousing pity and fear /.../.” Aristotle - Poetics 49b24-28
According to the theories of anthropologist Claude Lévi-Strauss, mythology is not to be regarded as fiction but rather as a subconscious language for experiences and feelings that cannot be expressed in any other way. In It’s a Tragedy the visitor is given access to dramas from the Greek canon, film noir and the last hours of Marilyn Monroe in order to provide language for the unspeakable.
It’s a Tragedy is an immersive performance that offers the visitor an intimate encounter with mythology, starting at the premise of a classical tragedy. Ninety meticulously choreographed minutes lead through lonesome hotel corridors and tangled sheets toward the inevitable. With full discretion and respectful support, the visitor is invited to step into the position of the tragic hero, guided by the choir and a flickering star.
It’s a Tragedy held its première ten days after the Swedish general election.
The Choir is here. Your room is ready.
"The visitor will, even though surrounded by others, gradually - kindly, never over the limit - individually test herself and her own boundaries. And this time too, the visitor will find that the biggest obstacles and the worst fears are placed inside her own head. Never in other people.
It's a Tragedy is a very successful performance. The performance is easily accessible and fun. It is thought-provoking, exciting and - above all – is ragingly and tickling beautiful. For example, rarely have five minutes on a hotel bathroom felt so important, so heartbreaking and so beautiful as among eyeliners, red lipstick and Chanel No. 5, a September evening at Hotel Hötorget."
-Anna Bergqvist, Tidningen Kulturen, 2018-10-11
________________________________________
It's a tragedy was performed in Stockholm, the 19th of September - the 5th of October, 2018.
Concept and direction: Linn Hilda Lamberg (POSTE RESTANTE) and Benjamin Quigley
Performers: Ludde Hagberg, Linn Hilda Lamberg, Benjamin Quigley and Anton Österlund
Dramaturge: Erika Lindahl
Intern: Anton Österlund
Sound and video design: Bernt Karsten Sannerud
Production: Erika Lindahl/POSTE RESTANTE
Co-production: MDT.
Pressphoto, documentation and trailer: Patriez van der Wens
Many thanks to: Hotel Hötorget.
With financial support by Stockholm City Culture Council (Kulturförvaltningen Stockholm stad) and the Swedish Arts Grants Committee (Konstnärsnämnden). Poste Restante's work is supported by the Swedish Arts Council (Kulturrådet).
It’s a Tragedy was the first, independent part of Poste Restante’s diptych about performativity of language and the form and function of mythology. The second part of the diptych had its première in Gothenburg spring 2019.
Watch the trailer here.
“Tragedy, then, is an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude; in language embellished with each kind of artistic ornament, /.../ in the form of action, not of narrative; through incidents arousing pity and fear /.../.” Aristotle - Poetics 49b24-28
According to the theories of anthropologist Claude Lévi-Strauss, mythology is not to be regarded as fiction but rather as a subconscious language for experiences and feelings that cannot be expressed in any other way. In It’s a Tragedy the visitor is given access to dramas from the Greek canon, film noir and the last hours of Marilyn Monroe in order to provide language for the unspeakable.
It’s a Tragedy is an immersive performance that offers the visitor an intimate encounter with mythology, starting at the premise of a classical tragedy. Ninety meticulously choreographed minutes lead through lonesome hotel corridors and tangled sheets toward the inevitable. With full discretion and respectful support, the visitor is invited to step into the position of the tragic hero, guided by the choir and a flickering star.
It’s a Tragedy held its première ten days after the Swedish general election.
The Choir is here. Your room is ready.
"The visitor will, even though surrounded by others, gradually - kindly, never over the limit - individually test herself and her own boundaries. And this time too, the visitor will find that the biggest obstacles and the worst fears are placed inside her own head. Never in other people.
It's a Tragedy is a very successful performance. The performance is easily accessible and fun. It is thought-provoking, exciting and - above all – is ragingly and tickling beautiful. For example, rarely have five minutes on a hotel bathroom felt so important, so heartbreaking and so beautiful as among eyeliners, red lipstick and Chanel No. 5, a September evening at Hotel Hötorget."
-Anna Bergqvist, Tidningen Kulturen, 2018-10-11
________________________________________
It's a tragedy was performed in Stockholm, the 19th of September - the 5th of October, 2018.
Concept and direction: Linn Hilda Lamberg (POSTE RESTANTE) and Benjamin Quigley
Performers: Ludde Hagberg, Linn Hilda Lamberg, Benjamin Quigley and Anton Österlund
Dramaturge: Erika Lindahl
Intern: Anton Österlund
Sound and video design: Bernt Karsten Sannerud
Production: Erika Lindahl/POSTE RESTANTE
Co-production: MDT.
Pressphoto, documentation and trailer: Patriez van der Wens
Many thanks to: Hotel Hötorget.
With financial support by Stockholm City Culture Council (Kulturförvaltningen Stockholm stad) and the Swedish Arts Grants Committee (Konstnärsnämnden). Poste Restante's work is supported by the Swedish Arts Council (Kulturrådet).
It’s a Tragedy was the first, independent part of Poste Restante’s diptych about performativity of language and the form and function of mythology. The second part of the diptych had its première in Gothenburg spring 2019.
Watch the trailer here.