Korzo Productions
Music and sound design for Ryan Djojokarso and Bram Jansen’s dance theatre adaptation of Giovanni’s Room. With Gerty Van de Perre co-composing several songs she performed live.
About
The American David is about to marry Hella, but falls deeply in love with the Italian Giovanni in Paris. We follow David through the night leading up to the most horrible morning of his life, when his lover will be gone forever. A dance unfolds where soft intimacy, masculine camaraderie, sexual tension, and an all-consuming self-hatred struggle to prevail. What happens to you, when you are so afraid that you can no longer love?
“His touch could never fail to make me feel desire; yet his hot, sweet breath also made me want to vomit.” from Giovanni’s Room, James Baldwin (1956)
As one of the leading authors of the 20th century, James Baldwin denounced important racial and sexual misdeeds. This piece is inspired by his book Giovanni’s Room (1956).
Press
“…the woman in this game throws a spanner in the works. Gerty Van de Perre is often present in the background as a singer of fleeting, slow, enchanting phrases; Jorg Schellekens made a beautiful sound design. Sometimes she participates in the play. This adaptation takes more distance from her than the book.” Dick van Teylingen, Theaterkrant, 9 February 2017
Credits
Concept & choreography: Ryan Djojokarso & Bram Jansen
Performers: Christiaan De Donder, Gerty Van de Perre, Miguel do Vale / Antonin Rioche
Sound design & music: Jorg Schellekens
(songs in collaboration with Gerty Van de Perre)
Voice-over: Arthur Rosenfeld
Light design: Ate Jan van Kampen
Dramaturgy: Peter Anthonissen
Scenography: Edwin Kolpa
Photography: Robert Benschop & Rob Hogeslag
Première
9 February 2017, Korzo (The Hague, NL)