One of Europe’s “most distinctive” performance artists will visit Nottingham to create and perform a new work in collaboration with New Perspectives Theatre Company.
Thibault Delferiere, a performer and painter who has cerebral palsy, will collaborate with New Perspectives artistic director Jack McNamara to create a performance inspired by the Greek myth of Sisyphus which will be premièred as a pay-what-you-decide event.
According to the Greek myth, Sisyphus is condemned to roll a rock up to the top of a mountain only to have it roll back down to the bottom every time he reaches the summit.
Delferiere will use his body, paint and objects to explore how the futility of Sisyphus’s punishment relates to the daily challenges of life with a unique body. The piece will be accompanied by live music from Sicilian guitarist Giuseppe Lomeo.
Delferiere will take up residence at New Perspectives’ rehearsal studio in Basford before the performance where he will run a masterclass for all artists living or working in the East Midlands. It will be staged on Saturday 20 May.
McNamara said, “Thibault Delferiere’s work is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Over years of deep and fearless exploration of his own body and condition, he’s managed to create a masterful performance style that communicates great power through the simplest means.
“Any artist interested in working with time, space, movement or the body can learn a huge amount from this exceptional artist. I was therefore intent both on collaborating with him myself and also bringing him into contact with a range of exciting artists from our region.
“At a time when disability remains woefully under-represented on our stages, Delferiere is a walking example that the conditions we are born with may well be our greatest creative assets.”
Sisyphus will be performed at Surface Gallery, Sneinton, Nottingham on Monday 22 May. Donations will go towards the New Perspectives emerging perspectives programme—an annual series of events designed to support artists and writers living and working in the East Midlands.