Project Development:
Timeline of the show's Metamorphosis and Process (Past, Present, Future)
2013-2015 - Researched and collectied the testimonies of Irene, Peter, Adolf and Maria. Wrote multiple drafts of the ensemble play RUN AWAY, JOIN THE CIRCUS.
2016 - Academic Studies Project conducted at the New School to further research the true events. Re-wrote the play as a solo performance under the guidance and mentorship of Professor Zishan Ugurlu, Doctor of Theater.
Early 2017 - A successful Kickstarter campaign raised $10K. The campaign was followed by a staged reading at the 14th Street Y as part of their events for Holocaust Remembrance Day.
2016 - Academic Studies Project conducted at the New School to further research the true events. Re-wrote the play as a solo performance under the guidance and mentorship of Professor Zishan Ugurlu, Doctor of Theater.
Early 2017 - A successful Kickstarter campaign raised $10K. The campaign was followed by a staged reading at the 14th Street Y as part of their events for Holocaust Remembrance Day.
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From the staged reading held at the 14th Street Y in New York, April 2017.
Above: Irene interrogated by a Nazi officer as she struggles to keep juggling. On the left: Peter woos Irene with a sleight of hand flower bouquet. |
Late 2017 - Author collaborated with Diverging Fates, an international academic team researching circus people in Europe under National Socialism, to further research Jewish circus performers of the era (read about her work here). The show has been renamed THE ESCAPE ACT. Further work conducted on updated drafts of the play and on applications for grants and residencies.
May 2018 - Artist presented a hybrid talk / performance titled "Circus Jews Under National Socialism" at the academic conference Circus and Beyond, held at the University of Sheffield as part of the UK's nationwide celebration of 250 years of circus.
Author also conducted a research trip to Pfungstadt, Germany and interviewed the children of Irene and Peter Bento, to further research the history of their family in the town over generations.
With Jano Bento at his home
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Visiting the grave of Peter and Irene Bento, and her parents Alice and Hans Danner
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With Mary and Astrid Bento
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June 2018 - Author conducted research trip to Morocco to interview Mohamed Sahraoui, the last living member of those who performed with the Althoff Circus during the 1940s.
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August 2018 - "Circus Jews Under National Socialism" made an appearance at the academic conference Circus and Its Others II, held in Prague under the umbrella of the Letni Letna International Festival of New Circus and Theatre.
2018-2019 - Further re-writing of the play and more grant application, Production started whilc artist completed one year of full-time circus training at Circomedia, Bristol, UK. |
Excerpt from The Escape Act as presented in Prague, August 2018
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Spring 2019 - Artist received a travel grant from the Popular Culture Association to present at their National Conference in Washington DC. The hybrid talk/performance "Circus Jews Under National Socialism" was part of the historical panel at the Circus and Sideshow section, was well-received.
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Summer 2019 - The show spent June and July in residency at the Loviisa Artists' Studio in Finland, and received its world premiere at the TransFolk Kucku Festival. The performance was a great success, with a full house and positive responses from both audience and press. In August we were at Jackson's Lane, London for at their Transmission Residency.
Fall 2019 - The Escape Act toured the UK, playing shows, lectures and workshops to audiences in London, Bristol, Birmingham, Salford and Manchester. On the anniversary of Kristallnacht, the show had its Germany debut at the Pfungstadt Synagogue in front of the descendants of the Lorch family and their townsfolk.
Winter 2019-2020 - lecturing at Limmud UK (Birmingham), Park Row Synagogue (Bristol) and other locations. Working on upcoming mini-tours in Israel, UK and USA.
Fall 2019 - The Escape Act toured the UK, playing shows, lectures and workshops to audiences in London, Bristol, Birmingham, Salford and Manchester. On the anniversary of Kristallnacht, the show had its Germany debut at the Pfungstadt Synagogue in front of the descendants of the Lorch family and their townsfolk.
Winter 2019-2020 - lecturing at Limmud UK (Birmingham), Park Row Synagogue (Bristol) and other locations. Working on upcoming mini-tours in Israel, UK and USA.
