Thursday 19 September - 7.30pm

Self and Sossi present

Corset Story

Throughout history, corsets have been a significant yet often controversial piece of clothing, representing a void between patriarchy and feminism. Corset Story explores the ways constriction can take effect on the body and creativity from a female perspective. Through story and song, Self & Sossi share their musical investigation into the advantages and disadvantages of restriction and the marginalisation of women artists.

'I immediately felt a magical transformation.

The corset encased my body like a piece of platinum armour, concealing the unwanted fat'.

Can there be an advantage? How did Soviet composer Shostakovich cope with Stalin's demand to reform his artistic oeuvre? In his case musical restriction led to greatness. How does the constraint of a poetic form paradoxically liberate creative expression rather than muzzle it?

This illuminating (or conversational?) presentation includes songs dedicated to composers Clara Schuman, wife of Robert, Fanny Mendelsohn, sister of Felix and Alma Mahler, wife of the maestro, as well as a tribute to Yulia, wife of murdered Navalny, victim of Putin's Russia.

Self, a composer/singer and Sossi, a dynamic performance artist create a playfully provocative show, featuring gorgeous music and bold physical theatre.

"Susannah Self's superb Katisha"

Michael Billington, The Guardian

"Susannah Self's rampantly severe but paradoxically sympathetic Katisha"

Brian Hunt, Evening Standard