The Black Circus of the Republic of Bantu von und mit Albert Ibokwe Khoza - Berlin-Premiere

** Trigger warning: Please note that The Black Circus of the Republic of Bantu includes nudity, audience interaction and physical contact with Albert Ibokwe Khoza as well as loud sounds. Upon entering the space, audience members are asked to have their hands loosely tied together.

The Black Circus of the Republic of Bantu sheds light on the violent and shameful history of the so-called "Völkerschauen", which took place in many European cities between 1870 and 1960 and in which people were presented like exotic animals. In this powerful, interactive solo performance, non-binary South African artist Albert Ibokwe Khoza explores the impact of the imperial and colonial gaze on Black bodies past and present and bears witness to the ongoing pain caused by historical and contemporary racism. Black Circus uses theater as both a weapon and a balm to heal the soul and restore dignity through the power of confrontational art.

"We honor the spirit of Sarah Baartman and we honor the many Africans whose lives and bodies have been turned into a spectacle for the pleasure of white supremacists. We pay homage to our ancestors who gave up everything for the good of the world as a whole," says Albert Ibokwe Khoza about the inspiration for the performance. Following acclaimed guest performances in Amsterdam, Maputo and New York, this is the first time the show has come to Germany.

Albert Ibokwe Khoza: The South African nature performance artist Albert Ibokwe Khoza, a non-binary, female man and at the same time a sangoma (traditional healer), continuously reveals and projects the state of mind of a loner. Through sexuality and traditional practices, Albert expresses his thoughts by moving between different artistic mediums to outline social ills and what his deviant nature sees and interprets in the world Albert lives in. In doing so, Albert critically scrutinizes his environment, its leaders and life itself. In 2023, Khoza won the Bessie Award for the performance And So You See ... Our Honorable Blue Sky and Ever Enduring Sun ... Can Only Be Consumed Slice by Slice ... (Director: Fabien Plasson, Choreography: Robyn Orlin)

PARTICIPANTS

Production: Albert Ibokwe Khoza and Princess Zinzi Mhlongo

Text/ Performance: Albert Ibokwe Khoza

Stage Management: Miranda Vuyo Mgodla

Videos: Sandile Madi

Production: African Entertainers

- 12 EUR, reduced 6 EUR

- Please book your ticket in advance online or at the box office in the foyer.

- Follow-up discussion together with Panaibra Gabriel Canda on 7 & 8.11.2024, both at 22:00

- Languages: English with German subtitles

- Duration: 50 min

- from 16 years

- Hall 1, ground floor

- Belongs to: Transcontinental