PREMIERE! Friends of Dymphna, an opera about depression

Carl Knif Company & JoJo- Oulu Dance Centre Premiere 26.3.2015 in Valvesali, Oulu

Friends of Dymphna, an opera about depression (Dymphna: Catholic saint for the mentally ill)

The piece touches mental fragility and depression through dance and performance art. The autobiographical work attempts to reveal the biological, emotional and social aspects of severe depression, it also strives to dismantle the tabu like nature of the subject.

The piece has been inspired by Andrew Solomons novel The Noonday Demon, an anatomy of depression (Chatto&Windus 2001). Friends of Dymphna aims to create ambiguos images of depression that arise from the questions; Why are we depressed? What causes depression? What does depression feel like? What does it look like? What is the opposite of depression?

In the work the personal experiences are juxtaposed with sientific studies, quotations from the bible as well as beliefs and perceptions on depression in society in general.

Choreography: Carl Knif

Dancers: Jonna Aaltonen, Terhi Vaimala, Carl Knif

Texts: Carl Knif, Terhi Vaimala, Jonna Aaltonen

Set Design/Lighting Design: Jukka Huitila

Sound Design: Aake Otsala

Costume Design: Karoliina Koiso-Kanttila

Language: English

Duration: 40-50 min