(2005) Sleep of Reason

Description

Sleep of Reason is a half-evening length piece inspired by the work of Spanish artist Francisco Goya. Working in the 18th century, Goya created a collection of etchings called “Los Caprichos,” which depicted various social scenes where humans interacted with demons and otherworldly creatures. Influenced by Enlightenment thinking, Goya set out to analyze the human condition and comment on the superstitions and conspiracies that he saw enslaving modern man.

Hedwig Dances takes Goya’s images and transforms them into three dimensional scenes where his ideas of mortality and power are played out with stunning passion and prowess. Avoiding a linear storyline, Sleep of Reason exists as a collection of vignettes much the same way “Los Caprichos” is a collection of commentaries, and each scene breathes life into the cunning and clever characters Goya envisioned. Through movement that is as original as it is unpredictable these complex characters engage in various relationships, including courtship, marriage and motherhood, the military alliance of a soldier and the devil, the Bacchanalian rituals of witches and superstitious revelers, and a climactic scene inspired by Goya’s interpretation of the Spanish Inquisition.

The dark and fantastic world of Sleep of Reason is made even more magical by unique masks created by Blair Thomas, puppet innovator and co-founder of Redmoon Theater. The costumes are the work of award-winning designer Tatjana Radisic and further enliven the visual appeal of the dancing. The soundtrack for Sleep of Reason is a collage of Bach, drumming, medieval music, drones and bird sounds collected from a number of pre-recorded sources. All of these elements contribute to a powerful and striking journey, showing us that the mortality and social fiber of Goya’s time is not so different from ours today, and his etchings and ideas have universal lessons that stretch beyond time. Hedwig Dances has brought these universal ideas to life, and the results are as beautiful as they are frightening.

Production

Choreographer: Jan Bartoszek
Movement Development: Jan Bartoszek and Dancers
Excerpt 
Music: J.S. Bach
Full Work Music: J.S. Bach, Kodo Drummers, David Motion, Clement Janequin, Jacques Beauchamp, Joaquin DesPrez, Jurgen Kneiper, Albeniz
Sound Design: Misha Fiksel, Kevin O’Donnell
Masks: Blair Thomas
Costume Design: Tatjana Radisic
Projections: Paul Park Productions
Lighting Design: Rachel Damon
Lighting Technician: Brad Norris
All Photography by Eileen Ryan Photography
Projected words are quotes from Goya’s prints.

Cast

Victor Alexander, Eric Eatherly, Becca Lemme, Kirsty Mackellar, James Morrow, Brooke Miller, Orazio Giurandella

Performance(s)

Hedwig Dances 20th Anniversary
May 12-14, 2005
Athenaeum Theater
Chicago

 

The Other Dance Festival
September 15-16, 2005
Hamlin Park Fieldhouse
Chicago

Three Works by Jan Bartoszek
November 18-19, 2005
Chicago Cultural Center

April 27-30, 2006
Joyce SoHo
New York City

Critique(s)

“Aiding the drama are the barely human half masks the seven dancers wear pretty much throughout: astonishingly expressive, highly individual creations tailor-made by Blair Thomas (of Redmoon Theater) for each performer’s face.”

– Laura Molzahn, Chicago Reader