‘Theodora’ arrives at the Teatro Real with the role of privacy coordinator: “It provides guarantees about consent”

He Royal Theater This Monday he presented his new production, ‘Theodora‘, a version of Georg Friedrich Händel’s oratorio that features, for the first time, the figure of an intimacy coordinator since it shows “violent scenes and contains themes of terrorism, harassment and sexual exploitation”, as detailed in a press conference.

“It’s a matter of making sure that two strangers who have never met each other and who are doing a very intimate production in which they might have to hug each other, get into bed together or even put their hands on each other, are comfortable. In a later world MeToo cannot be allowed to happen without security in place, without agreement or consensus. If someone feels uncomfortable being touched on a part of their body, that is okay and we need to respect that. You have to make sure that person feels safe, that they are happy to be on scene, but in a safe and consensual way.“explained assistant stage director Dan Aling – who has worked with stage director Katie Mitchell – during the play’s presentation in Madrid.

In that sense, the artistic director of the Teatro Real, Joan Matabosch, has reiterated that it is not about “censoring” the original work or certain “intimate” scenes. “The coordinator’s desire is not to lower the tone, it is to do what needs to be done, but in a way that those who have to do it feel comfortable doing it.“he explained.

With a libretto by Thomas Morell and under the musical direction of Ivor Bolton, ‘Theodora’ will be performed in seven performances between November 11 and 23 in this new co-production that has brought together the Royal and the Royal Opera House in London, where Händel premiered the score in 1750, when it was a “failure” due to its subject matter.in which a Christian woman is forced into prostitution for refusing to participate in sacrifices in honor of Jupiter.

Precisely, transferring that theme to the present day – the play is set in the headquarters of an embassy in modern times – has been the work of stage director Katie Mitchell, who has directed the production from a point of view that shuns the vision of Christian women as “passive and submissive martyrs”to turn her into a “guerrilla” who fights against the system that subjugates both women and religious minorities.

“There is a change about the original work that is naturally drastic and that is that Theodora is not a passive character who is waiting for fate to do what it wants to do with her, but here she is a character who reveals herself, tells the situation that He is suffering and reveals himself. But the rest is faithful to Händel’s original work. It is a very old work, but it raises issues that are incredibly current. How much freedom can be granted to the beliefs of minorities? can give freedom to execute the law? Can a soldier exonerate orders due to problems of conscience?” Matabosch said.

THE PROTAGONIST, “GRATEFUL” TO THE INTIMACY COORDINATOR

The cast is completed with six singers: the soprano Julia Bullock who gives life to Theodora, the mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato what will be Irene, the countertenor Iestyn Dacies who gives life to Didymus, the tenor Ed Lyonthe bass Callum Thorpe and the tenor Love Mjandana.

Precisely, the British Bullock has been “grateful” to the Teatro Real for having allowed the figure of the privacy coordinator to exist on this stage for the first time, ensuring that it is necessary to “go deeper” into the opera and have a good relationship with the scene partners.

“It has allowed me to fully concentrate on both the performances and the rehearsals and to interact in the best possible way with all my colleagues and to come out totally intact, without scratches, without any problems from them.. Sometimes our nervous system is sensitive and delicate issues occur. That is why I am very grateful that the participation of this coordinator in this project has been accepted. The first time we worked with her here was in Barcelona with ‘Antonio and Cleopatra’, I requested her presence and I was very grateful that she was there because I think it allows us to deepen our work,” Bullock added.