Performance “Rapeflower” choreographed by Hana Umeda at Spring Festival Uttecht in the Netherlands
28.05–30.05.2025
SPRING Performing Arts Festival Utrecht
Performance “Rapeflower” , choreographed by Hana Umeda, is a part of the series Selected Polish Performances at European Theatre Festivals.
This performance is an important artistic project due to its deeply touching theme and innovative stage language and therefore is deserves to be broadly presented both in Poland and globally. An exceptional work, standing out through its intensity and uncompromising approach to difficult topics such as trauma and oppression, but also resilience and hope. The performance by Hana Umeda not only touches on aesthetic aspects of the modern theatre, but also deals with difficult social issues, at the same time encouraging reflection and dialogue.
In “RAPEFLOWER” Hana Umeda evokes the 19th century tradition of art performed in Japan only by women. It entwined many of them in an experience of violence – they fell victim of sexual abuse in small rooms and during closed shows. Movement, body tension, closure and freeze – this is what jiutamai mistresses brought to attention of new generations of dancers. Hana Umeda is one of them.
Team:
- Concept, direction, choreography, text, performance: Hana Umeda
- Dramaturgy, textual cooperation: Weronika Murek
- Video: Martyna Miller
- Music: Olga Mysłowska
- Lights direction: Aleksandr Prowaliński
- Cooperation/Outside eye : Joanna Nuckowska
- Production: Olga Kozińska
Partner: SPRING Performing Arts Festival is a ten-day international event held in Utrecht, focusing on modern dance, theatre, and performance. The festival takes place in theatres, public spaces and uncommon locations, thus creating different contexts for the presented works. The programme includes over 25 theatre plays from different parts of the world that address significant issues related to contemporaneity and encourages reflection on the surrounding reality. SPRING is also a space for experimenting with new forms of art, offering an inspiring look at the world through the prism of artistic creation.
