PROJECT

Sons of Sissy

The focus of Sons of Sissy is the universe of traditions, folk dances and folk music from which the Upper Austrian country lad Simon Mayer originates.

In an experimental manner, four performers and musicians make use of traditional alpine live music, various group dances and ritualised practices. Liberating them from conservativism and conventions, they establish an unseen fusion of artistic reinterpretations and temporary social attributions of meaning. Defying categorisation and pigeonholing, the Sons of Sissy do everything they can to live up to their name as they conduct themselves as part weird folk-music quartet, part experimentally playful ritual dance combo, using humour to radically disrupt the hackneyed male role models in old traditions.

Simon Mayer

1984 ◊ AT

http://www.simonmayer.at/

Simon Mayer, performer/dancer, choreographer and musician, born in 1984 in Austria, studied at the Vienna State Opera Ballet School and the Performing Arts, Research and Training Studios (P.A.R.T.S) in Brussels and was member of the Vienna State Opera Ballet.

In 2009, he founded the band Rising Halfmoon as a singer, guitarist and songwriter. In 2014 Simon Mayer released his music album Monkeymind, followed in 2018 by audio performances of SunBengSitting, Sons of Sissy, Oh Magic. As a dancer/choreographer and musician he was involved in productions of Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker/ROSAS (The Song), Wim Vandekeybus (Frisking) and Zita Swoon. His choreographic repertoire includes solos, duets and group pieces that have been performed internationally (o feather of lead; dancing with the soundhobbyist/Zita Swoon; Monkeymind; SunBengSitting; Sons of Sissy; Oh Magic, a.o.).

Credits

Idea, choreography, performance, music: Simon Mayer◊Co-creation, performance, music: Matteo Haitzmann, Patric Redl, Manuel Wagner ◊Special instruments: Hans Tschiritsch◊Stage and costume design: Andrea Simeon◊Light design: Hannes Ruschbaschan, Martin Walitza◊Artistic consultant: Frans Poelstra◊Technical direction on tour: Jan Maria Lukas◊Creation production: Sophie Schmeiser, Elisabeth Hirner ◊Touring production: Hiros, Kopf hoch◊Co-production: Kopf hoch, brut Wien, Gessnerallee Zurich, zeitraumexit Mannheim, Tanz ist Dornbirn ◊With the kind support of: the City of Vienna's Department of Cultural Affairs, the Arts Division and the Culture Division of the Federal Chancellery of Austria, Kulturland Oberösterreich, Vlaamse Gemeenschap, Kunstenwerkplaats Pianofabriek, wpZimmer, im_flieger, Kunst- und Kulturverein SPIEL ◊Thanks to: Simon Zöchbauer, Julian Rubisch, ALMA (Marlene Lacherstorfer, Julia Lacherstorfer, Evelyn Mair, Marie-Therese Stickler), Godi Burgstaller, Chris Standfest, Andrea Amort, Munderfinger Goaßlschnalzer, Altstädter Bauerngmoa, Pramtaler Volkstanzgruppe, Elio Gervasi/Raum 33