ICONS
An ode to five iconic singers, inspired by personal stories
O. & Rajiv Bhagwanbali
Together with various Rotterdam artists, director Rajiv Bhagwanbali created a homage to five singers: Aretha Franklin, Cesaria Evora, Maria Callas, Lata Mangeshkar, and Bülent Ersoy. Music, spoken word, audio clips, street art, visuals and (pole!) dancing come together in five portraits of awe-inspiring women on a 90-minute route through Theater Zuidplein. The many conversations that Rajiv had with fans and admirers who are deeply touched by the music and lives of these icons, formed the inspiration for ICONS. Verhalen over legendarische zangeressen.
The stage is set for stories about, and songs performed by, singers who are world-famous whereas maybe you never heard of them. These musical heroines have one thing in common: they fight side by side for emancipation and freedom. Discover and experience the power of the (singing) voice of Bülent Ersoy, the much-discussed Turkish trans woman, Cesária Évora, the uncrowned Queen of the Cape Verdeans, Aretha Franklin, the ‘Queen of Soul’, opera diva Maria Callas, and Bollywood legend Lata Mangeshkar.
ICONS. Verhalen over legendarische zangeressen is a co-production of O. and Theater Rotterdam in close collaboration with OPEN Rotterdam & Theater Zuidplein.
“Rajiv merges cultures with infectious enthusiasm. The melting pot that is Rotterdam and how it inspires people is reflected in his performances.” – Tobias Kokkelmans (dramaturgy O.)
Regisseur: Rajiv Bhagwanbali
Dramaturgie & assistent regie: Marieke Dijkwel
Dramaturgie: Tobias Kokkelmans
Kostuums: Barbara Munsel
Podium decor: Melissa Masseuse
Licht: Theater Rotterdam
Curator spoken word: Spraakuhloos
Productie: Nico Musebrink & Berend van Hoek (Klub van Grensverleggende Zaken)
Thema: Aretha Franklin
Componist: Léo Davelaar
Zang: Yuli Minguel
Spoken Word: Brooklyn Mozes
Koor: n.t.b.
Thema: Bülent Ersoy
Music Producer: Koen Baakman
Zangeres: Megan Davis
Cello: Marta Gonzalez
Percussie: Jacobus Thiele
Spoken Word: Sarafina van Ast
Qanûn: Necdet Kuru
Klarinet: Caner Şentürk
Arrangeur: Ozan Göğüş
Vogue: Shahin Damka
Thema: Cesaria Evora
Muzikaal leider: Danilo Tavares
Zang: Melissa Fortes
Spoken Word: Patrick “Petje” Ribeiro
Gitaar: Antonio Jesus Santos Vieira
Gitaar/Cavaquinho: Paulo Bouwman
DJ: Adison F. dos Reis
Thema: Lata Mangeshkar
Componist: Romeo Panday
Zang: Madhu Singh
Percussie en drums: Dilip Dhoenmoen
Keys: Romeo Panday
Gitaar: Surajh Ratan
Sitar en Esraj: Tammo Heikens
Spoken Word: Siela Ardjosemito-Jethoe
Bassist: Raoul Niamut
Thema: Maria Callas
Componist: n.t.b.
Zangeres: Ekaterina Levental
Pianist: Mark Toxopeus
Paaldanseres: Hanka Venselaar
