Oh Magic

Simon Mayer

Austria/Belgium

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Oh Magic evokes the origins of theatre and dance in ritual. Piano keys, drums, live electronics and a microphone move as if by magic under the direction of a master of ceremonies whose combo conjures up the “abracadabra-like" spirits of our technological age. Robotics, performance, dance, music, song, sound and visual art merge into a Gesamtkunstwerk that is trance-like and intoxicating. However, Oh Magic also addresses our double-edged relationship with new technologies through a spiritual analysis of the state of the body, presenting the audience with sometimes beguiling, sometimes disturbing images.

Simon Mayer – performer, dancer, choreographer and musician – studied at the Ballet Academy of the Vienna State Opera, the Performing Arts Research and Training Studios (P.A.R.T.S.) in Brussels and was formerly a member of the Vienna State Ballet. In 2009 Simon Mayer founded his band Rising Halfmoon as singer, guitarist and songwriter. As a dancer, choreographer and musician he has appeared in productions by Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker/Rosas (The Song), Wim Vandekeybus (Frisking) and Zita Swoon, among others. His choreographic repertoire includes solos, duos and group pieces that are performed internationally. In 2017 he received the Outstanding Artist Award from the Austrian Federal Chancellery.