George, our mad king, is suffering from hallucinations and is painfully aware of his failing mental state. During his first episodes of madness, he is subjected to torture, starvation, reproach; he is kept in a stable where he is treated like an animal.
A Man Hanged is based on the work Eight Songs for a Mad King by Peter Maxwell Davies. The main character is King George III, who ruled in Britain between 1760-1820.
With my body at stake, I put myself at the feet of King George III and lament his destiny.
“Sounds made by humans under extreme physical or mental duress” makes out the basis for Maxwell-Davies’s Eight Songs for a Mad King.
The vocal techniques used in the piece originates from Alfred Wolfsohn, who served as a field surgeon during World War I.
…but after the war, he still heard the soldier’s screams. They continued to haunt his mind and soul.
To cure himself of these terrifying auditory hallucinations he began copying them.
We, however, strive not to only mimic humans in distress. We want to get under the skin of King George III, the “Mad King” of the piece, and in the most literal sense.
We explore his madness and the sounds made by a body in true distress.
In A Man Hanged, we explore the concept of extreme duress from three different angles – by merging science, classical composition, and live body suspension paired with biophysical instruments in one performance.
Thus, we hope to shed new light on the story of a king who was, perhaps, never meant to rule, but did so for 60 years.
Photo: Anna Thorbjörnsson
For the Emperor was mad; and at times he knew it and wept.
A short scientific performative lecture by Doctor Anna (Doctor Anna’s Imaginarium).
So, what was the nature of this body’s torment?
Give me a name!
Because I want to name you, darkness! I want to understand you.
You see, it’s easy to just see the King and the Glory and to forget his flesh.
He was a human like all of us after all.
Why was George mad? What caused his suffering?
Welcome to the story of a body named George.
Artwork by Darkam, Alex Boya, and Anna Zakrisson.
Maxwell-Davies masterpiece tells the story of the Mad King, sung by Joa Helgesson.
In the piece, Joa Helgesson gets suspended on hooks by the fakirs Darkam & Betor Rea from Santa Sangre Bodyrituals (graphic material).
The inclusion of body suspension in the piece is an attempt to show George in all his humanity and reflect on his vulnerability and the actual treatments he was exposed to. Mental illness meant torture, even if you were a king.
The performance ends with a showcase of the actual sounds made by a body under immense pressure. Microphones are attached to Helgesson’s body taking up the sounds of his muscles contracting during the suspension. The biophysical instruments built by Helgesson and Zakrisson are based on Marco Donarumma’s Xth Sense.
Thus, every performance will produce a different soundscape due to the biological variability of the performance.
Eugenia Monti engineers live electronics as she and Joa Helgesson improvise through live voice and biophysical instrumental audio uptake.
Idea, Concept, and Directions
The Mad King tried to teach the birds how to sing.
Project Assistant & Concept
“People thought he was mad, but really (the Prince) said that the people misunderstood and that he just had an illness. He thought that he was a really good king.”
Music
Lord Chancellor, did I deliver the speech well? I am glad of that, for there was nothing in it.
– George III of the United Kingdom
Choreography & Dance
I wish nothing but good; therefore, everyone who does not agree with me is a traitor and a scoundrel.– George III of the United Kingdom
Santa Sangre Body Rituals and Darkam (artwork)
Was there ever such stuff as great as part of Shakespeare? Only one must not say so! But what think you? – What? – Is there not sad stuff? What? – What?– George III of the United Kingdom
Inventor biophysical instruments
I spend money on war because it is necessary, but to spend it on science, that is pleasant to me. This object costs no tears; it is an honour to humanity– George III of the United Kingdom