2023 – Hestnes/Popović // SO FAR SO GOOD (Theatre)
YOU CAN SEE THIS SHOW DURING CPH STAGE INTERNATIONAL DAYS :
THE SHOW : SO FAR SO GOOD
So Far So Good approaches a feeling we believe we are not alone carrying. A feeling telling us that we have made it this far, despite living in a turmoiled world where new rules are introduced every day. It is a collective gut feeling that something might happen, and we better hurry up and protect ourselves from it.
Through a sonic and spatial collaboration with sound designer Daniel Fogh we investigate how this feeling manifests itself, as something unspeakable, yet profoundly essential to how we orientate ourselves in the world today.
We used to have maps and amulets, rituals and tools, but the rules of the game are different now. Protection however, is not obsolete. We invite the audience to rediscover these places with us and together we turn to stories and to the theater, in search of comfort and guidance.
Building on earlier work, Hestnes/Popovic look at historical material and personal stories, in order to address issues of today.
Duration: 70 min
THE CONTEXT
Hestnes/Popovic started their collaboration within a transdisciplinary and international context, at the Norwegian Theater Academy (NTA) in Fredrikstad. Marina Popović trained in acting and also holds an MA from NTNU in Trondheim, specializing in Cultural Memory Studies. Freya Sif Hestnes is a graduate in scenography and holds a BFA in photography from Valand Academy in Gothenburg, and works actively in both the performing and fine arts scene. Through their work they create a meeting and melting point for both their professional, personal and cultural backgrounds.
THE COMPANY: HESTNES / POPOVIC
Hestnes/Popović create work from an interest in memory and storytelling and a devotion for details and diversions. They insist that the emotional is political and research how this can be experienced in immersive and sensorial performances. They work with an enthusiasm for the overlooked in history, often inviting the audience to take part and together question what stories and powerdynamics shape our understanding of ourselves.
INTERNATIONAL STRATEGY
The duo create work in both English, Danish and Norwegian. Having toured extensively in Europe and India with their first performance There is a Noise, the company aims to draw upon their festival- and theater network and touring experience to promote their current work.
So Far So Good draws on various cultures present in the company. From an artistic point of view they look at how the specific and personal story connect with the broader, universal one, and how these feelings transfer to a broader audience. The performance will be translated to English, for an international audience and is suitable for festivals and guest-performances at venues looking to present interdisciplinary, contemporary work. The company is associated artists at Toaster, Copenhagen as of 2021 and collaborate closely with the administration.
FORMAT AND SUSTAINABILITY
The artistic directors of Hestnes/Popovic are based in two different countries, and consequently have from the very beginning of their collaboration organized their work on digital platforms.
Our understanding of sustainability involves a focus on local craftsmanship and suppliers, involvement and engagement with the community that we present and create work in and working conditions that support and encourage a long-term perspective, familylife, durability and collaborations.
So Far So Good was initiated and created with these questions and circumstances in mind.
LANGUAGE
English
TRIGGER WARNINGS
No
AUDIENCE TARGET GROUP(S)
13 +
WEBSITE
CONTACT PERSON
Andrea Skotland, andreaskotland@gmail.com, +47 98623179
CREDITS
Concept and text: Hestnes / Popović
Performers: Marina Popović
Director: Freya Sif Hestnes
Scenography: Hestnes / Popović, Daniel Fogh
Sound design: Daniel Fogh
Dramaturge: Andrea Skotland
Costume design and props: Astrid Sønderskov Andersen
Light Design: Ingrid Skanke Høsøien
Creative development and text contribution: Anders Tougaard
Consulting dramaturge: Miriam Frandsen, Guru Stugu
Stage- and production manager: Rudolf Terland Bjørnerem
Producer: Andrea Skotland, Hestnes / Popović
Co-produced by: TOASTER Copenhagen, Rosendal Teater Trondheim
Supported by: Danish Arts Council, Norwegian Art Council, Fond for lyd og bilde, The Norwegian Centre for New Playwriting – NCNP, Trøndelag County, Trøndelag Theatre
Photo by: Juliane Jensen / Atle Auran
