Citizen Kane Collective’s “Thick Blood” Explores Family, Absence, adn Identity Thru Performance
Stuttgart’s Naturfreundehaus Steinbergle is hosting the Citizen Kane collective’s performance, ”Thick Blood,” a deeply personal exploration of family dynamics and the impact of absent or deceased parents, particularly within migrant and non-white families. Performer Ida notes a disparity in parental lineage, stating, “The living ones only have bio-German names for their parents or fathers… But we remember Clay, Liliom and Nikita’s dad: all absent, dead or fucked up. All migrant or non-white.how can that not promptly jump out at you?”
The performance weaves together a diverse musical landscape, ranging from Janis Joplin to Robbie williams. During Marianne Faithfull’s “Ballad of Lucy Jordan,” Malin reflects on mortality, acknowledging that having children altered her perspective on suicide. A moment during the flower duet from Léo Delibes‘ opera “Lakmé” prompts Ida to question her mother, Clay, about the opera’s depiction of lesbian love.
“Thick Blood” incorporates audience participation, beginning with a collective apology and evolving into dance. A tango between Carina, a professional dancer, and Christian is followed by Max demonstrating a twist learned from carina’s mother - alternately extinguishing a cigarette on the left and right – with the 70-year-old mother herself repeatedly falling to her knees. This prompts increasing numbers of audience members to join in dancing.
While acknowledging complex family relationships, the performance avoids airing “dirty laundry,” with all parents present affirming their love for their children when asked.
“Thick Blood” will be performed two more times at Naturfreundehaus Steinbergle, Stresemannstrasse 6, Stuttgart on December 6th and 14th. Doors open at 7 p.m. for food, with the performance beginning at 8 p.m.
