In ‘MASTEKTOMIE’ (A Bittersweet Farewell Song), CHICKS* explore the process of letting go of breasts and accompany Marietheres Mio Jesse as they say goodbye to their own breast. Together, they develop a ceremonial, queer, and tearful farewell ritual – and an evening about the social, cultural, and political debate surrounding health, gender, breast cancer, and grief culture. On stage, different perspectives and experiences with mastectomies** come together, connected by the common question of how mutual care can be practiced.

In this participatory performance format, the three performers invite the audience to accompany them through this process. Here, loss, the pain of farewell, and the excitement of welcoming the changed body, the new beginning, can coexist in all their ambivalence. It will be intimate, soft, challenging – and caring.

**  A mastectomy is an operation in which breast tissue is removed.

Information on accessibility and language

• Stepless access

• Language: in German spoken language with lyrics in English spoken language

• Audiodescription: During all performances, the integrated audiodescription in German spoken language is audible in the whole space. Assistance dogs are welcome.

• Content Notes: The performance discusses mastectomies in the context of being trans and transitioning as well as cancer (prevention). This includes talking about illness, violent experiences in medical contexts, death and grief. Medical procedures and amputations will be described in detail. The performers show and describe how their bodies look after the mastectomy.

• Relaxed Performance: All shows take place as Relaxed Performances. Audience members are welcome to make noises, move, stim and leave the space and come back at any time.

• Pick-up service: If you would like to be picked up at a local transport station to attend the event, please contact us here.

• Touch Tour: On both dates, a Touch Tour will be offered for blind and visually-impaired people. The starting time will be announced soon. 

• Introduction of sensory triggers: At the beginning of the show, the brightest, darkest, quietest and loudest moments will be introduced to the audience.

• Light: The light will be bright enough at all times to move safely through the space. There will be brighter and darker moments with slow light transitions.

• Sound: The performers mostly  speak through a microphone. There will be live music throughout the piece (piano and electric guitar) as well as singing on stage. There are no sudden noises or sounds.

• Other sensory triggers: Foam will be used on stage.

• Audience: There are three platforms place in a semicircle. There are various seating options: chairs with back- and armrests, wheelchair spaces, beanbags, cushions on the floor as well as camping furniture. 

• Participation: In some scenes, the audience will be invited to interact with the performers, to come onto the stage or to move in their seat. The participation is voluntary. Sometimes, the performers will be moving through the audience.

• Remaining tickets for audio description users as well as beanbag and wheelchair seats (and companions) can be requested by emailing kasse@gessnerallee.ch.