Twisted Tales
Twisted Tales (twistedtales.tv) is a program developed by the Institute for Transmedia Design (Slovenia), within which we created a series of four hybrid performances for children. The foundation of the performances consists of four stories based on classic fairy tales, but reimagined so that the protagonists come from vulnerable groups. Thus, Cinderella is now a girl who is missing one lower leg and uses crutches; Gerda is a girl with Down syndrome; Aladdin is a boy who resists patriarchy; and Red Riding Hood is a young woman who experienced sexual harassment as a child.
These stories were first adapted into audiobooks, and then, in collaboration with contemporary dancers, four hybrid performances were created. The performances include elements of audio storytelling, acting, dance, interactive games with children, costumes, music, and light design. Children sit on the floor around the edge of the performance space, with the entire performance taking place in the center. This format was developed after testing other formats with children.
After each performance, a discussion is held with the children about what they learned about the characters, the obstacles the protagonists face, and how they overcome them — and what we can learn from that which might be valuable in our own lives.
The performances premiered in Serbia during the TURNING POINT conference (November 2023), organized by ASSITEJ — the International Association of Theatre and Performing Arts for Children and Youth. Representatives of IIAN (The International Inclusive Arts Network) were present and described the approach as highly stimulating for children of diverse abilities, proposing further collaboration on developing this practice.
Direction and dramaturgy: Marko Pejović
Production: Group “Let’s…”
Text: Sara Božanić, Dora Vagić, Miroslav Minić, Marko Pejović
Voice: Vladislava Đorđević
Choreography and dance: Anđela Žugić, Ana Obradović, Miloš Janjić, Isidora Poledica
Costumes and props: Boris Čakširan
Lighting design: Aleksander Zain, Milica Babić
Original music: Katarina Ranković
Sound: Relja Petrović, Katarina Ranković
Support for realization: Cultural Center Magacin
Financial support: European Union, Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Serbia