LOUNGE

Contemporary dance performance

Marga Alfeirão

Premiere 5th of January 2023, Tantztage, Sophiensaelle, Berlin

The performance lasts 50 minutes without intermission.

Concept Marga Alfeirão
Performance Mariana Benengue, Marga Alfeirão, Myriam Lucas
Choreography and research Myriam Lucas, Mariana Benengue
Music editing and mixing Shaka Lion, Hinna Jafri
Scenography Yoav Admoni
Costume Nani Bazar
Styling Marga Alfeirão, Mariana Benenge
Light design Thais Nepomuceno
Light operation Lui L'abbate
Dramaturgy Jette Büchsenschütz, Mateusz Szymanówka
Production Marga Alfeirão
Co-production SOPHIENSÆLE
Distribution neon lobster / Giulia Messia & Katharina Wallisch 
Accompanied artist by Materiais Diversos
Thanks to Francisca Spuzi

LOUNGE is a duo for two moving bodies identifying as feminine. The word "lounge" refers both to an action and to a space. Together, Mariana Benenge and Marga Alfeirão explore different states of rest, both active and passive, using each other’s presence to move deeper into themselves and the surrounding space. The piece is shaped by the idea of an "invisible lap dance": a sequence of subtle, barely perceptible gestures where the gaze itself becomes movement, blurring the line between offering and receiving. This choreographic strategy questions the relationship between performers and audience, and between public and private space, seeing and being seen. Sensuality is not ornamental here; perhaps paradise is a place on earth, but here we find ourselves in a waiting room, in no hurry.

Marga Alfeirão uses media to carve safe spaces for the exploration of intimacy and sexuality through dance and performance. Heavily influenced by dance-genres and sound textures from the African diaspora disseminated through Lisbon’s social tissue, she delves into secrecy and disclosure of the feminine. Her first work Lounge – a lesbian lap dance duet – was awarded the ImPulsTanz – Young Choreographers' Award 2023.