Oh Magic

Oh Magic, … wanders through the wonders of theatrical magic. It is that mysterious unnamable thing we sometimes have the chance to encounter in a piece. But, where does it come from and where does it take us? What fascinates us as a performer or as a spectator? Somewhere between freak and fascination, Simon Mayer and his performers seek for the answers both in technological manipulation and organic oracles.

Oh Magic, … is a live concert, played by robots and performers. Using musical instruments in an unconventional way they bring dance and performance, music and soundscapes, robotics and visual arts together on stage.

Our futuristic fantasies take shape in today's technology, which never seizes to fascinate and –even if only a little— grab us by the troat. Our double relationship to robotics is prominently present in the universe of Oh Magic,... where performers and machines meet, with trembling voices and childlike curiosity.

He finds his desire for the unpolluted answered in oriental, shamanic rituals, trance rituals, in the repetitive nature of folk culture, but just as well in abstract, contemporary dance and experimental music.

Oh Magic, …, brings together the strength of technological magic, and the enchantment of pure simplicity, and lets them interact without prejudice.

Compography, concept & performance Simon Mayer
Co-creation & performance Clara Frühstück, Patric Redl, Tobias Leibetseder, Manuel Wagner
Sound design Tobias Liebetseder
Robot operator Manuel Wagner
Costume design Andrea Simeon
Light design Heinz Kasper
Technical director and operator Jan Maria Lucas
Robotics, electronics & engineering Dominik Strzelec
Sound Lukas Froschauer, Rene "Ringo" Grömer
Dramaturgy Robert Steijn
Research and anthropologic advice Justine François, Manuel Wagner

Production Hiros, Kopf Hoch (Sophie Schmeiser, Anna Erb)

Co-produktion Kunstenfestivaldesarts (BE), steirischer herbst festival (AT), Noorderzon Performing Arts Festival (NL), Gessnerallee (CH), Teaterhuset Avant Garden (NO), brut Wien (AT),  Centrale Fies (IT), Kunstenwerkplaats Pianofabriek with GC De kroon (BE)

With the support of Vlaamse Overheid, Kulturabteilung der Stadt Wien, Bundeskanzleramt Österreich, Österreichisches Kulturforum Brüssel

In collaboration with Tanzquartier Wien, D.ID Dance Identity, SPIEL, Klavierhaus A. Förstl

Project co-produced by NXTSTP, with the support of the Culture Programme of the European Union