Conductors of Ivories - the performance

Conductors of Ivories...

is the re-creation of Beethoven's Sonata in C sharp minor, played on a Piano and several Toasters. This surreal 'Quasi una Fantasia' offers the possibility of sound through manipulation of the electrical appliance, the musical instrument and the human body. The musicians approach their instruments with delicacy and expectation, before breaking rhythm, shifting direction and feeding anticipation. They traverse domestic, poetic and organic ground as they embark on an unusual expression of musical duet.

Conductors of Ivories

I have spent the early part of Autumn working towards a new piece that premiered in Testing Grounds at Southhill Park on Halloween. The work is collaborative - a duet between myself and Christina Jensen. We have been attempting to find a meeting point between our seperate practices, where we can sit alongside, contribute and affect our lines of thought without rubbing each other out. Currently our joint practice embodies dance, experimental theatre and live art. Our work challenges the uses of humour, spectacle, skill, musicianship and movement. This is our first piece where sound is the starting point for play. The photos above are from the process which began in the Unit 5 project space in Norwich, transgressed to Chatsworth Palace in Homerton and then Chisenhale dance space, London; before spending the final week in deepest, darkest, greenest, dog-walking, Bracknell - where we met some fine folk!