Honesty and Other Fiends (a.k.a. Brutal Honesty) is the newest solo dance performance work by choreographer Zornitsa Stoyanova.
Show run: 60 min.
Concept and performance by Zornitsa Stoyanova.
Coaching and dramaturgy by Jeanine Durning(USA) and Lou Cope (UK)
Pre-recorded music: Cuckoo and Other Birds by Drakir Nature & PONY by Ginuwine
Description of the piece:
A multidisciplinary solo, Honesty and Other Fiends, interrogates truth and honesty in a deeply
personal and political way. Sharing personal stories along with (sometimes) absurd
philosophical anecdotes, Stoyanova meditates on our desire for Greatness as the only thing
left after the death of Truth and Honesty.
A choreographer and improviser with 20 years of stage experience, she dances, speaks, sings fake opera, makes up poetry on the spot, plays word games with the audience, moves objects around the room, drinks cold water when things get too hard, and ultimately attempts to define and understand honesty.
A genre-blending performance, the piece includes a bit of full nudity, live-feed special effects, and has been described as a dance stand-up comedy in its dark humour.
Premiere:
Brutal Honesty’s world premiere was on September 25th, 2024, at Icebox Project Space as part of the Philly Fringe Festival and as one of the selected artists at the Cannonball Festival (part of Philly Fringe) in Philadelphia, USA. The premiere was supported by the National Fund “Culture” of Bulgaria – “Mobility” program. In May 2025, the show was performed at COMMA Festival in Tilburg, Netherlands, and gained an upgraded name – Honesty and Other Fiends (a.k.a. Brutal Honesty)
Disclaimer: Brutal Honesty show requires audience interaction, is lighthearted, political, and could be triggering to some (wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat). The show is improvisational in nature, and thus every show is slightly different.
Tech details: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1frvw17yX9ZMJhOct0Pwt6TtmwxcjTyP67Nn0BT5zpfo/edit?usp=sharing
Trailer:
Full Video: https://vimeo.com/1028395515/1815c84d1b
For booking, contact Zornitsa Stoyanova directly: zornitsa(at)bodymeld.org
The piece requires only Zornitsa Stoyanova to travel, as long as the host provides a theater lighting technician. A fee for the performance, as well as housing and travel with paid luggage, is needed and can be negotiable.
Sample day of performance:
12:00 – 16:00 – load in technical rehearsal
16:00-17:00 – run through
17:00 – 18:00 – break
18:00 – call and preparation for the show
19:00 – show
PDF with full details, description, and bios:
Премиерата се осъществи с подкрепата на Национален фонд “Култура” по програма “Мобилност”.
