MITOSIS

Video art for Mitosis – A LSD Opera by Brandy Butler.
What if an unexpected diagnosis suddenly changed everything? The story told here could be that of your neighbour, whom you only know in passing. Or that of a close friend – of an everyday life that is suddenly thrown into turmoil: a cancer diagnosis. But in the midst of despair and fear, an unusual path opens up.
At the centre of MITOSIS is dying – and a controversial substance that is currently experiencing a renaissance: LSD. This hallucinogen, which once fell into disrepute, is now being scientifically investigated. It is said to alleviate the fear of death.
Over the course of two years, a transdisciplinary team led by director Brandy Butler explored this promising branch of research. The result is «Mitosis» – an intense and devotional piece of musical theatre, an opera about dying. The title «Mitosis» refers to the phase of cell division: a process of growth and regeneration – and the prerequisite for life, for mutations and thus also for cancer.
Sometimes humorous, sometimes deeply moving, the play tells the story of a woman who believes she has lost everything – until she realises that losing everything can be the first step towards truly living.

Direction and concept: Brandy Butler
Music composition: Brandy Butler, Annie Goodchild, Ramón Oliveras
Music production: Ramón Oliveras, Daniel Eaton
Video: Juana Ferrari
Micorscopic images: Carlos Gomez Revello (Microuruguay) and Juana Ferrari
Stage design: Bettina Kirmair
Costumes: Paula Henrike Herrmann
Dramaturgy: Eneas Nikolai Prawdzic, Noa Winter
Access: Noa Winter, Juana Ferrari, Liam Rooney
Production assistance: Stanford Chen, Anora Ismailova
Production management: Giordana Patumi
Performers: Annie Goodchild, Brandy Butler, David Attenberger, Ivy Montiero, Ruth Schwegler
Stage construction: Jonas Borner
Technical direction: Emiliano Larre