Tricks for Gold (Stage Work)

Can a contortion pay my rent?
Where is my heart going while executing this number?

Can I strip naked and disappear?

The performance studies the concept of tricks and their ability to manipulate our experience of space and time, researching the spectacular aspects of stage magic and erotic performances, specifically looking at camming. By borrowing their specific vocabularies and dramaturgies, tenderly revealing their secrets, techniques, fragilities and the humanity behind contortions and virtuosity, the piece unraveled the empathic potential of what is typically seen as an act of “service” and highlighted the melancholia of tricks as not simply a mode of deceiving and entertaining the audience – but also as a tool of transformation and survival of the performer.

An infinite striptease whose scenography includes draping objects and an array of costumes to expand the performing body into endless layers of suspense. Dressed-naked for the audience, dancing on the noise of coins. A living piñata, ready to cum cash.

Director, Choreographer & Performer: Frida Giulia Franceschini
Costume Designer & Performer: Lea Kieffer
Outside Eye & Performer: Dani Brown
Music & Sound Designer: Ksenija Ladić
Light: Susana Alonso
Producer: Natalia Sookias
Dramaturgical Support: Isabel Gatzke, Luca Libertini
Research Assistant: Sophie Vitelli, Andrea Speranza
Co- produced by Sophiensaele Berlin and Callies Berlin. With the support of Macao Milano IT, AtelierSí Bologna IT and O Espaço do Tempo Montemor-O-Novo PT.