Desperate Measures

«Desperate Measures»
Phil Hayes / First Cut Productions

Between Tap dancing and concert – between laughter, tears and world-weariness. A desperate performer tries everything he can to connect with his audience. Will he succeed?

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Wed 10/12 20:00
Halle
Fri 12/12 20:00
Halle
Sat 13/12 20:00
Halle
Sun 14/12 18:00
Halle

Its been quite a day…

Its been quite a week..

Lets’ just face it, Its been quite a year..

So how are you all doing?

How are you coping?

Whats your strategy?

Zurich-based actor, musician, and director Phil Hayes is known for his melancholic wit, his precise use of language, and his subtle irony when dealing with the subject of aging. Live music plays an important role in many of his works. For “Desperate Measure,” he collaborates with musicians Martina Berther, Mario Hänni, and Dominic Oppliger to conjure up an evening full of dark humor and heartfelt songs.

On stage: a desperate artist in tap shoes. Behind him: three musicians. The artist wants our respect. He wants our trust. He will stop at nothing to get it. He has even hired a band for the occasion. In the end, we decide: is this his comeback or his last chance?

Information on accessibility and language

in spoken English
stepless access

Credits

Concept, Text, Songs, Video, Performance:
Phil Hayes
Music, Performance:
Martina Berther, Mario Hänni, Dominic Oppliger
Artistic Advisor:
Kim Noble
Dramaturg:
Julia Hintermüller
Initial Artistic Input:
Shawn Sides
Specialist Training:
Nikolaj Bauer
Stage:
Sina Knecht
Lighting:
Patrik Rimann
Sound:
Susanne Affolter
Production:
Lukas Piccolin
Diffusion:
Lise Leclerc
A Production by:
First Cut Productions
A Co-Production by:
Gessnerallee, supported by a residency at Montevideo, Marseille and with thanks to Rude Mechs of Austin Texas

About the artist

Phil Hayes is a performance-maker, theatre director, actor and musician. He has also worked in kitchens, restaurants, pubs, factories, on the radio, on tv and on building sites. He was born on the south coast of England and studied Creative Arts in Newcastle upon Tyne many years ago. Based in Zurich since 1998, Phil has spent most of this time creating performance and theatre work, mainly through the non-profit association (Verein) First Cut Productions, including; ‘Awkward Human’, ‘Legends & Rumours’, ‘Love & Happiness’, ‘Places Of Interest’, ‘These Are My Principles...’, ‘WORK’ and ‘Under The Influence I - III’.
In Hayes performance works, which in most cases are created under the label “First Cut Production”, the collaborative process has generally been the basis for generating content and form together with a rolling series of new and regular collaborative partners. His work has regularly toured internationally. Hayes also makes performance-based work in other contexts, working as a freelance performer, director, advisor, dramaturg, writer or musician in collaborations with a wide variety of artists and groups. He was a regular collaborator with British performance group Forced Entertainment (2009 - 2016) and worked on several projects with performance-maker and choreographer Simone Aughterlony. He also regularly appears in films by Swiss film and theater director Piet Baumgartner, most recently in a leading role in the film ‘Baggerdrama’. ‘Desperate Measures’ marks 23 years of Hayes working, performing and creating at the Gessnerallee.
First Cut Productions' work is currently represented for touring by Lise Leclerc.
www.philhayes.ch
www.thefirstcut.ch