ღამე და დღე / NIGHT AND DAY (2018/19)

A performance devised with members of the transgender community Tbilisi in collaboration with WISG (Women’s Initiative Supporting Group Tbilisi)

Background:

This project has been a continuation of various collaborations between WISG and Mareike. Aim of the project was to raise visibility and awareness for the situation of trans people in Georgia with the means of theatre and performance. In a six months rehearsal period Mareike devised a performance with members of the transgender community in Tbilisi/Georgia. The performers were bringing in their own ideas and stories and based on those created a play and characters.

Background:

This project has been a continuation of various collaborations between WISG and Mareike. Aim of the project was to raise visibility and awareness for the situation of trans people in Georgia with the means of theatre and performance. In a six months rehearsal period Mareike devised a performance with members of the transgender community in Tbilisi/Georgia. The performers were bringing in their own ideas and stories and based on those created a play and characters. Very early on it became apparent that the focus would be on the kind of double life most of them were forced to lead by society, hence hiding part of their identy. There are only few safe place for them to be the person they are. So a story was created around on the theme.

The story:

The world has forgotten about the gods that once created the earth, changed gender fluidly and advocated free love. Pushed out of society, they now have to live the life of hetero-normative mortals, suppressing their real identity. Only a small group of the goddesses and gods of the night have not given up: Nyx the goddess of the night and her friends. During the day they have to hide their goddess and god personality. At night, a small nightclub  has become their last refuge. Here they can live out their real selves and meet far away from the pressure of society. The goddesses and gods are looking for support and allies and are inviting the audience to become members of this secret club.

Follow-up projects:

Following the performance, Mareike continued the work with members of this group and WISG. They created an interactive audio walk through Tbilisi connecting trans-narratives with different places in the city. Excerpt of the audio walk “Wild Rose” can be listened to here, more information about the project here.

Currently, Mareike is extending the audio walk to an online mapping project. News will be announced shortly.

Team:

Concept/director: Mareike Wenzel

With: Bacho, Drago, Iulia, Misho, Mia, Nata, Ucha, Vova

Production Team: Natalia Mchedlishvili, Nattan Guliashvili (WISG)

Sound design: Ana Jikia & Ika Jojua/AGHNIE

Venue: Success Bar/Tbilisi, Politika/Tbilisi

In collaboration with WISG – Women’s Initiatives Supporting Group Tbilisi