Anatomy of Survival
Vivienne Franzmann and Frauke Requardt
About Anatomy of Survival
A woman walks into a cafe. She orders a coffee. The barista doesn't understand her request. The woman loses her sh*t. Chaos reigns.
This offbeat collaboration between award-winning playwright Vivienne Franzmann and choreographer and psychotherapist Frauke Requardt, brings together 22 very different eyewitness accounts of one everyday altercation to show how our nervous systems are stuck in the Stone Age.
Performed by two dancers, an actor and a drummer (and one bear). Anatomy of Survival is a show for all the nervous systems in the auditorium. Come and feel the rise and fall of yours.
About the Artists
Frauke Requardt is a German-born, London-based choreographer. Her choreographic work is characterised by physically challenging choreography, a strong theatricality, dark humour and an overall sense of surrealism. She uses text and live music and a mixture of abstract and emotionally based movement to deliver highly engaging work.
Vivienne Franzmann is an award-winning playwright. She has had work produced nationally and internationally. Her work includes Pests at The Royal Court and The Manchester Royal Exchange, The Witness at The Royal Court, Bodies at The Royal Court, The Snow Queen at Bristol Old Vic and The It for the National Theatre Connections Programme. She has taught playwriting to a wide range of writers including women in prison, care-leavers in London and playwrights in Cuba. She is currently developing work for television and film.
Frauke and Vivienne were paired together in an experimental collaboration between The Royal Court, Encounter Productions and The Place to share their working practice.
Cast & Creatives
Co-Directors: Frauke Requardt & Vivienne Franzmann
Choreography: Frauke Requardt and performers
Writer: Vivienne Franzmann
Performers: Bea Bidault, Kath Duggan and Solène Weinachter
Composer & Live Musician: Stefano Ancora
Designer: Hannah Clark
Lighting Designer: Lucy Hansom
Sound Design & Production: Chameleon drums&perc Studio
Video Design, camera and edit: Susanne Dietz
Production Manager: Rachel Bowen
Costume Supervisor: Annette Raudmets
Composer of “What She Wants”: Dave Price
Research Consultant: Frank Bock
Credits
Commissioned and co-produced by The Place in association with The Royal Court. Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, and by the Royal Philharmonic Society with funding from the RPS Drummond Lockyer Fund for Dance.
