Seen at Festival delle Colline Torinesi on the 5th of November 2022
4 stars – ongoing metamorphosis
A carpet extends from a shooting set. White; still, it can’t but remind of the red one Agamemnon stepped on, prepared for him by Clytemnestra, together with her deadly plans. Behind him walked Cassandra, foreseeing the fate that was going to unjustly involve her, too.
Cassandra evokes the nightingale’s fate: the legendary Procne, about to be killed by her husband Tereus, turned into this bird thanks to the help of the gods. Stefania Tansini presents a character who strives for an ongoing metamorphosis throughout the performance. Her bird-like, greatly studied movements remind of the legend, to then become more abstract, a form of dance and, sometimes, the shaking of godly inspiration.
Word is partially used to contextualize, partially as sound, to build an atmosphere, resulting in text that is not always comprehensible. Despite the first part of the performance having a slightly predictable side because of the disposition of props along the carpet (but isn’t the ability to foresee Cassandra’s damnation?), there are surprising turns, thanks to the expert direction of Daniela Nicolò and Enrico Casagrande.
Through its development, if not almost its narrative, Of the Nightingale I Envy the Fate touches to several themes, among which are rape, war, death, survival, and fate. Rich in powerful images, this performance has the power of reinventing a mythical character, by disclosing and developing her charge of meanings.
4th, 5th and 5th of November 2022
Running time: 45 minutes
Venue: Fondazione Merz
Company Website: https://www.motusonline.com/en/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/motus_enddna/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/motustwit/
Butterwort 
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