Rococo
Following productions that took world wars as their theme, Hotel Modern turns their attention to two more cheerful subjects: sex and curiosity. Rococo is a declaration of love to fantasy and the power of imagination. What happens when lust and curiosity are given free rein? Hotel Modern makes a rubbish tip in the theatre, where dancing bears provide an answer to this question. Rococo is a surreal performance with dancing bears, living skeletons and bizarre miniature porn movies, created live with puppets and finger-camera's.
"The new production appears to be a radical break away from the performances based on scale models. In Rococo we again see Herman Helle and Pauline Kalker hurrying about, dealing with objects on stage, but this time they find themselves right among them. Dressed as bears they rummage around in a load of rubbish, much of which bulges from cardboard boxes." (Vrij Nederland)
"The piece is brimming with Freudian references. This imaginative representation of a world without social conventions, in which sensual impulses are given free rein, is simultaneously confrontational and funny." (Volkskrant)
"Rococo is about wonderment. The initial impression is of a light-hearted piece. But the scene at the end with the two figures onstage roasting feet over an imitation fire raises questions about the world that they, and we, live in." (Urban Mag)
Credits
Makers and performers Pauline Kalker, Arlène Hoornweg, Herman Helle Music and sound concept Arthur Sauer Masks Kirsten Hutschemakers, Wim Groen Foam objects Barbara Witteveen Production assistant Heleen Wiemer Set assistant Stefan Gross Light design Jan Joris Lamers Technicians Joris van Oosterhout, Saskia de Vries Poster and flyer design Ralph Prins Illustrations Herman Helle Subsidy Performing Arts Fund NL, City of Rotterdam
