MHÀIRI MACKENNA
DIRECTION / SPACE / LIGHT / SOUND
CREATIONS
MINOR DETAIL
4.48 PSYCHOSIS
ANATOMY OF A SUICIDE
REGRESSIE
ZUCHT
HAUNTOLOGY
KATIE CRUEL
LENZ
SHEATH AND KNIFE
CRAVE
MUSIC AND SOUND WORKS
CORPSE DRESSER
INFO
ABOUT
AGENDA
CV
CONTACT
MHÀIRI MACKENNA
DIRECTION / SPACE / LIGHT / SOUND
CREATIONS
MINOR DETAIL
4.48 PSYCHOSIS
ANATOMY OF A SUICIDE
REGRESSIE
ZUCHT
HAUNTOLOGY
KATIE CRUEL
LENZ
SHEATH AND KNIFE
CRAVE
MUSIC AND SOUND WORKS
CORPSE DRESSER
INFO
ABOUT
AGENDA
CV
CONTACT
SHEATH AND KNIFE
The young siblings and lovers Ciara and Henry Docherty dream of a life in the city, far away from the claustrophobia and violence of the rural Scottish community they grew up in. In silence, they prepare their escape, but when Ciara becomes pregnant, she starts to ask herself whether her idea of freedom matches that of her lover. Eventually, after unexpected oppression and multiple attempts to find a way out, an ultimatum emerges: love or emancipation? Both is impossible.
Inspired by Scots-Irish murder ballads and musical styles including as folk, drone and doom, SHEATH AND KNIFE is a workers' fable that examines the trinity of the victim, the perpetrator and the observer, and how those roles constantly overlap and switch. In short encounters, memories, visions and live drone-folk ballads, the depths of a life scarred by endless misery and woe unfold; borne of darkness, scarred before birth and gasping for freedom, she is prepared to go as far as is necessary.
SHEATH AND KNIFE explores the notion of murder as an act of self-defence and liberation, constructed from numerous verbatim stories, folklore tales and murder ballads about domestic violence against women, particularly in a rural context.
Premièred on the 21st October 2021 at Frascati in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Inspired by Scots-Irish murder ballads and musical styles including as folk, drone and doom, SHEATH AND KNIFE is a workers' fable that examines the trinity of the victim, the perpetrator and the observer, and how those roles constantly overlap and switch. In short encounters, memories, visions and live drone-folk ballads, the depths of a life scarred by endless misery and woe unfold; borne of darkness, scarred before birth and gasping for freedom, she is prepared to go as far as is necessary.
SHEATH AND KNIFE explores the notion of murder as an act of self-defence and liberation, constructed from numerous verbatim stories, folklore tales and murder ballads about domestic violence against women, particularly in a rural context.
Premièred on the 21st October 2021 at Frascati in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Concept, direction, text, scenography and lighting design Mhàiri Mackenna
Performance and live music Teun Donders, Marit Hooijschuur and Mhàiri Mackenna
Musical direction Simme Wouters
Prodution management Emma van Zandvoort
Technical production and operation Attila Nèmeth
Scenic photography Bart Grietens
Produced by Frascati