Theater HORA has made a name for itself in Switzerland and abroad as a professional theatre company run by and for people with mental disabilities. The piece “Disabled Theater” was created with the aid of French choreographer Jérôme Bel, whose successful dancer portraits highlight the uniqueness and authenticity of his performers and shatter the conventions of theatre and dance. At first, Bel graciously declined the theatre group’s advances. When he saw their work, however, he became aware of their incredible potential. “Disabled Theater” tells the story of his first encounter with the performers of Theater HORA. With their help, he explores a form of theatre that knows no rules. The performers are quite simply themselves as they step onto the stage, state their name, occupation and disability and, with their dancing, demonstrate “what they’ve got”. Their authenticity, uniqueness and lack of inhibitions at once touch, unsettle and shame the audience, and they never fail to get people talking.
“With Jérôme Bel’s ‘Disabled Theater’, Theater HORA has succeeded in producing an emotionally overwhelming dance and theatrical piece. Treading a fine line between performance and exposé, this dance is deeply touching in its honesty. The performers manage to express the self striving for freedom. The dance’s pure authenticity is infectious, and it speaks straight from the heart. Provocation, directness and confrontation are expertly combined in a masterwork that simply cannot be ignored.”
Theater HORA
Theater HORA was founded in 1993 by theatrical coach Michael Elber. It took its name from the character of Hora in its first production, which was based on Michael Ende’s story “Momo”. Theater HORA has been working with guest directors and choreographers since 1998. Its aim has always been to promote the artistic development of people with mental disabilities and give them a professional platform on which to show their extraordinary abilities to a wide audience. At the 2013 Theatertreffen festival in Berlin, mentally disabled actress Julia Häusermann was awarded the Alfred Kerr Acting Prize.
