Agnietė Lisičkinaitė & Igor Shugaleev
CLAP & SLAP
Vilnius, Warsaw
«CLAP & SLAP» brings together two artist friends from Belarus and Lithuania – two countries whose relations have largely frozen since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. From political, geographical, social and personal perspectives, they negotiate the tensions between their countries of origin. Questions of responsibility, fear, self-defence and aggression come into focus. A subtle and intimate performance about the importance of dialogue – especially in times of conflict.
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Two bodies collide, crashing into each other with force before lingering in vulnerable closeness. Powerlessness and responsibility begin to blur—caught between violent slaps and playful clapping. The performance “CLAP & SLAP” is rooted in a political reality. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, tensions in surrounding countries have intensified—particularly between Lithuania and Belarus, the home countries of the two artists, Agnietė Lisičkinaitė and Igor Shugaleev. While Agnietė Lisičkinaitė protests in Vilnius in front of the Belarusian embassy, Igor Shugaleev took part in the 2020 protests in Belarus, after which he was forced to leave the country.
Between the two artists, a hesitant dialogue unfolds—emerging from parallel experiences and differing positions—on belonging and responsibility, fear and resistance, personal trauma and geopolitical violence.
How much individual responsibility do I bear? Have I done enough to stand up against violence? Where must I remain firm in my beliefs, and when must I endure uncomfortable dialogue? An emotional piece without simple enemies and without any promise of reconciliation.
Dates and Tickets
shows from today- Sa 15.08. 21:00 - 21:50 CHF 40.–/20.– Quota of tickets available at the box office
- Su 16.08. 19:00 - 19:50 CHF 40.–/20.– Quota of tickets available at the box office
- Mo 17.08. 19:00 - 19:50 CHF 40.–/20.– Quota of tickets available at the box office
Support programme
Post-performance discussion
Sun 16.8., after the performance
Stammtisch
Art as an activist practice in wartime
Fri 14.8., 9.00 pm
Accessibility
Easy to read
«CLAP & SLAP» brings two artist friends from Belarus and Lithuania together on stage. Relations between these two countries have become tense since Russia's war against Ukraine. One reason is the close cooperation between the governments of Belarus and Russia. Many people in Belarus also speak Russian. People in Lithuania worry that their country could also be attacked.
The two artists talk about the tensions between their countries. They look at the topic from different perspectives: political, geographical, social and personal. They talk and dance together. Clapping plays an important role in the performance.
Content and Sensory Notes
The performance deals with war and political persecution.
There is partial nudity (upper body) and depictions of physical violence.
Performers clap themselves and each other on different parts of the body and face.
The audience is addressed directly. Theatrical smoke is used.
Artistic direction and cast
| Konzept, Choreografie & Performance | Agnietė Lisičkinaitė, Igor Shugaleev |
|---|---|
| Komposition | Agnė Matulevičiūtė |
| Bühnenbild | Oles Makukhin |
| Dramaturgie | Bush Hartsorn |
| Regieberatung | Olga Lapina |
| Lichtdesign | Povilas Laurinaitis |
| Übersetzung | auawirleben |
| Operator | Povilas Laurinaitis |
| Foto | Donatas Ališauskas |
Production
| Produktion | Be Company / Agnietė Lisičkinaitė |
|---|---|
| Koproduktion | Zürcher Theater Spektakel |
| Unterstützung | Litauischer Kulturrat |
| Residenzen | Radialsystem Berlin, Studio ALTA, Bora Bora dance centre, Santarcangelo Festival |
| Premiere | Mai 2025, New Baltic Dance Festival, Vilnius |
Rote Fabrik, Fabriktheater
Political performance. Rhythm & body. Complex reality
Nominated for the ZKB Patronage Prize
Duration
50 min.
Language
English
Surtitles
German
Age
14 years plus