The Best And The Worst Of Us

The best and worst of us looks at ways to approach acollaborative practise. It adopts a spontaneous diplomacy that hopes to trigger an instinctual yet advantageous group dynamic. Performing a kind of mob rule might give us the possibility of truly “being together”. Systems have been put in place, appropriated and adapted from the behaviours of other species, social games and collective mythologizing.

We look for the moments when we are disciplined, bound together in working towards a common good. There are bad choices too and moments when we lose sight of the pleasure within the tyranny of the majority. We find ourselves becoming a better, cleaner body among the roar of the crowd. We move like a school of fish, like a swarm of bees, covering so much ground together, it’s as if we are indeed that flock of birds.

Even as we move in perfect unison, you might detect a small step slightly out of rhythm, or a gesture that betrays a singular desire. We know about reward because we have grown up with the dance between the common good and the lone impulse. But the lead roles will not make any entrances: there will be no lead roles on this stage. We will be the chorus, speak with one voice, reveal feelings for the group and make a new history.

Concept: Simone Aughterlony
With: Simone Aughterlony, Kate McIntosh, Phil Hayes, Nicholas Lloyd, Thomas Wodianka
Dramaturgie: Fiona Wright
Artistic Advice: Laura Kalauz
Music: Marcel Blatti
Light: Christa Wenger / blendwerk
Set and Costumes: Nadia Fistarol
Production: Verein für allgemeines Wohl / Roger Merguin

Co-Production

Productiehuis Rotterdam (Rotterdamse Schouwburg)
Theaterhaus Gessnerallee Zürich
Hebbel am Ufer Berlin
Dampfzentrale Bern

Partners

Pro Helvetia Schweizer Kulturstiftung, Fachstelle Kultur Kanton Zürich, Präsidialdepartement der Stadt Zürch, Hauptstadtkulturfonds Berlin, SSA – société suisse des auteurs