CHOREOGRAPHY
A YEAR WITHOUT SUMMER
ROLE: Assistant Choreographer (Musical)
Directing, Choreography & Performance
by and with
Saioa Alvarez Ruiz, Liane Jil Apel, Andrea Baker, Bear Boy, Sofia Borges, Born In Flamez, Gibrana Cervantes, Renée Copraij, Beatrice Cordua, Sophie Duncan, Luz de Luna Duran, Bláthin Eckhardt, Renée Eigendorff, Fibi Eyewalker, Paige A. Flash, Florentina Holzinger, Sahel van K, Christine Kringel, Annina Machaz, Achan Malonda, Ingeborg Middendorf, MING, Xana Novais, Netti Nüganen, Constanza Pérez de Lara Bonatti, Sue Shay, Gitti Ulm, Bärbel Warneke
Robotics: Boiling Head, Zoe Bassi with a thanks to the Roboverse Community
Electrodes: Karsten Schuhl
Assistant Director: Xavier Perez, Max Pross
Stage Assistance: Christiane Hilmer, Simeon Melchior
Costume Assistance: Jasmin Knitter
Assistant Dramaturge: Lili Hering
Choreography Assistance: Sophie Duncan
Technical Direction: Emma Juliard, Stephan Werner, Dario Brinkmann
Stage and Rigging: Dörte Wilforth
Stage: Jan Krüger, Uwe Sinkemat
Stunt Coordinator: Ronny Hornig – Gravity Stunts
Coaching: Leon Le Nestour, Elisa Siegmund
Intimacy Coaching: Jasko Fide
Intimacy Coordination (Casting): Dani Brown and Frida Giulia Franceschini
Light: Anne Meeussen, Fabian Bleisch
Sound Engineering: Olivia Oyama
Sound Assistance: Fjóla Gautadóttir
Stage Assistance: Christiane Hilmer, with Angela Ribera, Paulina Jarosinska
Production neon lobster: Sarah Parolin, Katharina Wallisch
PR and Communication neon lobster: Giulia Messia
Tour Management neon lobster: Sarah Parolin
Management and International Distribution neon lobster: Katharina Wallisch & Giulia Messia
It is 2025. We live in a year without summer: In a jump-scare reality that feels like an apocalyptic vision of our world, thrown into darkness and stripped of certainty. Survival becomes ritual, and despair dances hand in hand with ecstasy.
In 1816, the original „year without summer“, Mount Tambora erupts in Indonesia, ashes fill the sky, the sun disappears, crops fail, and the world hungers. That same year, 18-year-old Mary stays by Lake Geneva with other poets and storm and darkness inspire them to tell ghost stories. Mary imagines Dr. Frankenstein, a genius of science, who forces nature to bend to his will and ends up in destruction with his monster assembled from corpses‘ parts.
Florentina Holzinger and cast explore the stories we tell about our bodies, health, identities, decay and our environment: The 21st century pursuit of longevity, medical promises of rejuvenation to the perils of unchecked technological growth in a world shaped by AI, robotics, and bioengineering. A Year without Summer appropriates this attempt to improve nature to the point of perversion and plays off the promise of eternal life against the certainty of death.
But what happens when the creation becomes the monster? When creation becomes (like) us?
A production by Volksbühne am Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz, Florentina Holzinger/Spirit and neon lobster in coproduktion with Tanzquartier Wien, Kampnagel Internationales Sommerfestival, Dansenhus Stockholm, DE SINGEL, Maska Ljubljana, asphalt Festival, Rising Melbourne, Factory International Manchester, Divine Comedy International Theater Festival / Łaźnia Nowa Theater (Krakau) and Marvaða Iceland
Funded by the Hauptstadtkulturfonds and the Kulturabteilung der Stadt Wien. With the support of Bundesministerium für Kunst, Kultur, öffentlichen Dienst und Sport Österreich.
Thank you to: Alicia Beier, Sina Lorber, Ada’s Deli, Toxo
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Theatre Anthony Hopkins, Theatr Clwyd, Mold, Wales
(2021)
Role: Assistant Director
Director: Tamara Harvey
Assistant Director: Sophie Duncan
Designer: Adrian Gee
Choreographer: Annie-Lunnette Deakin-Foster
Lighting Designer: Johanna Town
Sound Designer: Matthew Williams
Musical Director: Akintayo Akinbode
Fight Directors: Rachel Bown-Williams and Ruth Cooper-Brown of Rc-Annie Ltd
Casting Director: Kay Magson CDG
Written by Christian Patterson
Beauty is funny, smart and ready to rock,
The Beast is grumpy, hairy and in for a shock!
Will the curse be lifted?
Will all turn out well?
Can love save the day?
Only time will tell!
Theatr Clwyd’s acclaimed rock ’n’ roll panto written by Wales’ Christian Patterson (Jack and The Beanstalk, Dick Whittington) is back, with bonkers frocks, dazzling sets and the anarchic panto puppets!
This production was Sophie’s first step into the world of Pantomime, and the first full production created after the 2020/21 COVID pandemic.
Shows: 50 Audience per show: Up to 600 Cast: 10 Actor / Musicians
MUSICAL THEATRE
EPIDEMIC
(2012)
OLD VIC TUNNELS, LONDON, ENGLAND
Role: Assistant Choreographer
Director: Alexander Ferris Producer: Steve Winters Choreographer: JOHN ROSS
"Epidemic was a new musical which focused on the unreported epidemics that affect our communities; rising obesity levels, the taboo subject of mental health and the availability of information. With a diverse volunteer company made up of 43 performers, a choir of 62, five musicians, and a further 71 people volunteering backstage, Epidemic opened to the public at The Old Vic Tunnels to a total audience of over 1,600 people." - oldvictheatre.com
Shows: 14 Audience: 1600+ Cast: 43 artists, 62 choir, 5 musicians
ZIUA RECUNOSTINSTE
(2019)
Teatru Toma Caragiu, Ploiest, Romania
Although it is the fifth collaboration with Director Horia Suru, this is the first show created for the Revista Theatre - the Romanian equivalent of cabaret / variety style performance. The show will feature dancers, actors and singers in the well respected Teatru Toma Caragiu, in Ploiesti, around 40minutes from the National Capital, Bucuresti. The original concept follows the story of a group of artists, auditioning for a new production due to premier in China. Each artist has their moment in the spotlight, causing catty squabbles, one-upmanship and comedy throughout. With a score of adapted, well known music including funk, folk, swing and pop, played by the theatre’s resident live band, the show aims to revive the Revista style to a modern day audience.
Role: Choreographer
Direction: Horia Suru
Set Design: Romulus Boicu
Musical Arrangement: Petre Ancuta
Written by Daniel Chirilla
INTIMACY CO-ORDINATION
EFECTUL LUCIFER
(2023)
ROLE: Choreography, Intimacy Direction
Creatie colectiva dupa “Efectul Lucifer- de la experimentul concentrationar Stanford la Abu
Ghraib « de Philip Zimbardo
Regia Horia Suru
Asistent regie Bianca Temneanu
Costume Razvan Darlea, Kriszta Pop
Lumini Victor Lup
Foto-Video Razvan Dima
Distribuția:
Adrian Stancu, Alexandra Rău, Ama Beschieru, Andreea Radu, Antonia Crișan, Bogdan Ifodi,
Carla Graur, Denisa Tudora, Ecaterina Ivănușcă, Gabriel Sandu, Ioan Crișan, Luca Platon,
Medeea Chiriac, Raluca Balan, Robert Ioan, Tudor Jula
Durata: 2h
Data premierei: 22, 23 Ianuarie 2023
Turneu: Bucuresti 2023
Șaisprezece studenți s-au oferit voluntari în cadrul unui experiment concentraționar, acceptând să joace rolurile de gardieni și deținuți, într-un mediu de detenție simulat, în subsolul facultății de Litere din Cluj-Napoca.
“Efectul Lucifer este un spectacol șocant deoarece ne pune față în față cu propria indolență, cu inerția emoțională care ne împiedică să ne opunem violenței, făcăndu-ne astfel, părtași la ea. Facem parte dintr-o societate care ne hrănește cu știri îngrozitoare despre abuzuri și suferință. Avem, nu de puține ori, voluptatea imaginilor îngrozitoare. Suntem izolați în propriul egoism: Cât timp nu mă doare pe mine…/ Nu e treaba mea…/ Nu am ce să fac.. Și totuși… avem liber arbitru. Putem să privim, sau putem să acționăm: să ne împotrivim, să îl ajutăm pe cel căzut, rănit… Fiecare dintre noi, poate fi eroul cuiva.”
Nerecomandat minorilor! Spectacolul conține nuditate, scene de violență, abuz psihic și verbal.
SI LINISTEA ARE PULZ
(2019)
Teatrul Andre Muresanu, Sfantu Gheorghe, Romania
“The show runs in the dictated cadence not only of music but also by the choreography of Sophie Duncan.”
The is adaptation of the play, ‘Even Stillness Breathes Softly Against A Brick Wall’ by Brad Birch, follows 3 young couples facing the monotony of their day to day existance almost entirely narrated by themselves. The slow build up of tention, love, lust and life acts as a great reflection on to modern society and cubical working lives which eventually leads to their meltdown.
Originally created for just 2 actors, this forth collaboration with Director Horia Suru pushed the idea of the forth wall physically and technically with carefully choreographed movements in space in which actors move through a house with their sound travelling with them. The immersive concept of the show asks the audience to move and travel freely in the space, choosing which character they prefer to watch.
Premiered: 7th March, 2019
Role: Choreographer / Movement Direction
Director: Horia Suru
Set Design: Romulus Boicu
Written by Brad Birch
Shows: Monthly | Audience: 80 | Cast: 9 Actors
THEATRE + DRAMA
COLUMBINUS
(2016)
TEATRU MUNICIPAL BAIA MARE, BAIA MARE, ROMANIA
WINNER: Best Show @ National Theatre Bucharest's Teen Fest 2017
Role: Choreographer
Director: Horia Suru
COLUMBINUS is the true story of the events that took place at Columbine High School on the 20th April 1999. Two young men, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, both months from graduation, shot and killed 12 students and 1 teacher, and injuring 21 others during the rampage. In addition to the shootings, the complex and highly planned attack involveding diversions , bombs set in numerous locations and a multitude. After the massacre, the pair committed suicide.
The show is currently playing monthly at Teatru Municipal Baia Mare, the show features real footage from Eric and Dylan, CCTV from the school, news broadcasts and 991 recordings.
Shows: monthly Audience per show: 250 Cast: 8 Actors
FETELE PELICAN
(2023)
TEATRU NOTARRA, BUCHAREST, ROMANIA
Role: Choreographer / Movement Director .
Translation: Monica Andronescu
Director: Horia Suru
Set and Costume: Doina Levintza
Composer: Petre Ancuta
Make-up artist: Alexandru Abagiu
Graphic Design: Victor Diaconu
Lighting design: Mircea Mitroi
Written By The Wardrobe Ensamble
Imagine a house with pink walls, a fireplace on which a Frida Kahlo painting is hung, with Buddha statues and shelves full of books written by Simone de Beauvoir and Sylvia Plath... The Pelican family lived in this big house. A mother with an overwhelming personality, four daughters marked for life by the way she draws the reality around them and a son who finds it difficult to find his place in this female universe. A family story, in which, on their mother's birthday, the heirs gather in the old house to celebrate her…as truths begin to emerge. Love, couple problems, infertility, feminism, betrayals in love, the rush for inheritance, the redefinition of art in the 21st century and, above all, the hypocrisy that hides in family relationships, you will find it all in Pelican Girls. A story about a modern family. A story where serious things are discussed with crazy humor over a glass (or 6) of prosecco.
Letiția – Crenguța Hariton, Indra – Isabela Neamțu, Sonia – Sorina Ștefănescu, Maya – Alexandra Murăruș, Iasmina – Victoria Cociaș, Danni – Alexandru Mike Gheorghiu, Dodo – Șerban Gomoi / Rareș Andrici, Aurora – Anda Caropol, Lara / Avocata – Mihaela Subțirică, Luca – Răzvan Bănică
DOMNULUI PROFESOR, CU DRAGOSTE
(2011)
TREATRU MARIA FILOTTI, BRAILA, ROMANIA
Role: Choreographer / Movement Director
Director: Horia Suru
Based on the 1969 film, 'To Sir, With Love', this Romanian adaptation of the classic tell the story of a classroom of delinquent teens, of whom everyone has given up on. Until, Mark Thakery, an engineer, comes as a supply teacher and changes everything. The show is gritty, rough at the edges and is the epitome of the harsh lower-class reality of post-war East London.
Shows: 78 Audience: 8000+ Cast: 24
OUTREACH + COMMUNITY
Co-production:
I-ACT / Backstreet Festival / The Joy Project. (Alexandria, Egypt)
Bibliotheca Alexandrina – مكتبة الاسكندرية (Alexandria, Egypt)
Stage direction: Horia Suru
Choreography: Sophie Duncan
Premiere: 21 Noiembrie 2020
Duration: 1h
Performers:
Tasneem Ashraf
Ahmed Sameh
Mazen Hossam El-Kordy
Amr Al Sharkawy
Nadine Nasr
Nourane Radwane
UniQue
I-ACT is the founder of the Creative Forum for Independent Theatre Groups in Egypt – a platform for contemporary theatre and an “anti-festival”, where formality is superseded by creativity. The Forum is also a meeting point for the independent theatre groups that work apart from official, governmental cultural institutions, working out a different artistic, creative and socio-political formula. I-ACT is also behind the international and multidisciplinary event Backstreet Festival which aims at spreading joy in Egypt and beyond through high-quality forms of contemporary arts.
Never Ending Circles was created by artists Horia Suru and Sophie Duncan with local performance artists in Alexandria, Egypt as part of the 2020 residency The Joy Project – an initiative of the Backstreet Festival.
JINGAH!
(2021)
The Squire Theatre , Nottingham, UK
Role: Choreographer / Assistant Director / Acrobatic Designer
Director / Composers: Chloe Charody & Duncan Townsend
Written by Chloe Charody & Duncan Townsend
In 2018, together with City Arts Nottingham, Chloé Charody Creations successfully secured funding from Arts Council England to create a free community and education-based production of JINGAH!. However, the unexpected delays caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic have now led to what is called “The JINGAH! Project”.
The JINGAH! Project has been developing for the last 2 years which has seen London based puppet & costume making company Mandinga Arts turn Maxim Krioukov’s design of Patrick Poppywopple into a 4-meter high interactive puppet; Nottingham-based artist Jessica Kemp turn Maxim’s design of The Evil Thorny Vine into a 6-meter high aerial puppet controlled by an aerial singer, two violinists, a cellist and contortionist; students from Nottingham Trent University create JINGAH!’s set; Chloé & Duncan finish JINGAH!’s songs, Chloé compose JINGAH!’s elaborate orchestral score, choreographer Sophie Duncan develop JINGAH!’s choreography and our partners City Arts Nottingham engage children in Nottingham (whose exposure to high quality arts is limited) in JINGAH!’s outreach programme.
A prototype show was presented in September 2021, to a great response, and is currently in the process of potentially being presented again in early 2023, on a much large scale.
LODDO
(2015)
MACAU DESIGN CENTRE, MACAU S.A.R., CHINA
Role: Choreographer / Director
Loddo was a hugely successful charity event featuring 12 acts including dance, acrobatics, banqin, contortion, aerial hoop, juggling, singing and live music. Sophie created several pieces in the show, footage of which you can see on the SHORT WORKS page. She also directed the show and organised a variety of ways to help raise money for The Samaritians Hong Kong, after the unfortuate death of a colleague. All the pieces in the show were performed by current cast members of The House Of Dancing Water, and over 50 crew and helped with the running of this fabulous event. By the end of the evening, over 35,000HKD (£3100) was raised and thanks to its huge success, it it due to be repeated again this coming summer, by a new team of House Of Dancing Water employees.
Shows: 1 Audience: 200 Cast: 24
UNSOUND
(2012)
ROBIN HOWARD THEATRE, LONDON, ENGLAND
Role: Creator / Performer
See the full piece here.
UNSOUND was adapted from Hunter S. Thompson's 1972 novel "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas", with some inspiration from the 1998 film. This physical theatre piece was written, created and performed by Sophie Duncan, in collaboration with set designer Tom Blakey, to be performed for one night only at The Place's annual choreographic platform for new choreographer's Resoultions!.
Shows performed: 1 Audience: 100+ Cast: 1