On Pain and Presence

is lecture/performance which reveals the connections between performance qualities and emotional states created by S/M Play. Presence and attitude, creativity and devotion, humor and grace are bound up with pain, fear, anger, depression and shame.

 

The two dancers, Felix Ruckert and Lara Martelli play with emotional conditions, developing them into roles through the help of costumes and props. These characters or subpersonalities interact with one another and with the audience. Through exemplary dances and theatrical scenes, and also with the use of tasks and exercises for the audience they try to show what is obvious about the connections between theatre and BDSM.

 

Both performers have extensive practical and theoretical skills in the field of Sadomasochism. Playing with Control and the Loss of Control, Shame and Pride, Aggression and Kindness, Fear and Trust, offers an enormous range of possibilities to safely approach and transform emotions.