Created and performed by Marianna De Sanctis & Maë Lestage
Mother. Woman. Artist is a raw and natural stand-up circus performance — an open-hearted work that exposes the fragile reality behind making art, standing on stage, and continuing to create while being a mother.
There is a reality behind creating a show: the difficulty of bringing it to life.
There is a reality in the journey of an artist: being shaped by harsh criticism, prejudice, and power games.
There is a reality when trying to sell your work: being a mother.
There is a reality behind creating a show: the difficulty of bringing it to life.
There is a reality in the journey of an artist: being shaped by harsh criticism, prejudice, and power games.
There is a reality when trying to sell your work: being a mother.
This performance is a tribute to the legitimate fragility of the stage. A raw, real and ironic circus piece, open to questions from the audience, with an artist on stage sharing a lived experience of violence and discrimination she herself endured. It is a #MeToo that claims the victory of becoming who you choose to be — in this case: a mother, a woman, an artist.
Blending circus technique, spoken word, tragic clowning and stand-up comedy, Marianna De Sanctis transforms the stage into a space of truth and resistance. Using her body, her voice and the hula hoop, she performs without illusion or protection. Her daughter also takes part in the performance, adding an additional layer of intimacy and lived reality — the stage becoming a place where art and life coexist without separation.
Mother. Woman. Artist does not offer solutions. It does not simplify. It invites the audience into a relationship of trust, vulnerability and shared responsibility — and opens a space for reflection, discussion and recognition.
Blending circus technique, spoken word, tragic clowning and stand-up comedy, Marianna De Sanctis transforms the stage into a space of truth and resistance. Using her body, her voice and the hula hoop, she performs without illusion or protection. Her daughter also takes part in the performance, adding an additional layer of intimacy and lived reality — the stage becoming a place where art and life coexist without separation.
Mother. Woman. Artist does not offer solutions. It does not simplify. It invites the audience into a relationship of trust, vulnerability and shared responsibility — and opens a space for reflection, discussion and recognition.
From Marianna De Sanctis
Children of any age may be present in the audience, and their presence does not disturb me at all — even if they cry or move around. Very often, the greater challenge is for parents, who may worry that a spoken performance will be boring for children, that it is not a ‘circus show’ in the traditional sense, or that they might not agree with some of the content.
In fact, children have already attended my performances freely on several occasions, and I have allowed them to move around in the audience. My performance is conceived as an act of solidarity with the audience, and I always try to make sure that mothers and fathers do not feel any guilt if their children move or make noise during the show.
Most of the performance can be read and understood by children. However, there is one specific section — around 7 minutes long — in which very strong written sentences are projected quickly onto the screen.
These texts address themes of violence, discrimination and personal testimony, but this is only a small fragment. The rest of the performance is comic and poetic.
Overall, I have no issue with children attending. What matters to me is that it is clear this is a spoken, stand-up circus performance with sensitive content and an autobiographical nature. I always encourage discussion after the show, so audiences have the opportunity to reflect and share their thoughts
In fact, children have already attended my performances freely on several occasions, and I have allowed them to move around in the audience. My performance is conceived as an act of solidarity with the audience, and I always try to make sure that mothers and fathers do not feel any guilt if their children move or make noise during the show.
Most of the performance can be read and understood by children. However, there is one specific section — around 7 minutes long — in which very strong written sentences are projected quickly onto the screen.
These texts address themes of violence, discrimination and personal testimony, but this is only a small fragment. The rest of the performance is comic and poetic.
Overall, I have no issue with children attending. What matters to me is that it is clear this is a spoken, stand-up circus performance with sensitive content and an autobiographical nature. I always encourage discussion after the show, so audiences have the opportunity to reflect and share their thoughts
Press Quotes
Walking a tightrope between documentary-style storytelling and the complex, often painful reality of combining the roles of mother, woman, and artist, Marianna De Sanctis transforms the stage into a cathartic space. A raw and sincere performance at the crossroads of circus, theatre, and personal testimony.
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The body of the athlete becomes an act of protest against misogyny — institutional, familial, and artistic. A powerful political statement rooted in lived experience.
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A daring hybrid form, blending one-woman show, tragic clowning, acrobatic choreography and poetic storytelling — without the safety net of fiction
...
The body of the athlete becomes an act of protest against misogyny — institutional, familial, and artistic. A powerful political statement rooted in lived experience.
...
A daring hybrid form, blending one-woman show, tragic clowning, acrobatic choreography and poetic storytelling — without the safety net of fiction
Duration: 50 minutes + discussion
Language: English with surtitles
Created and performed by: Marianna De Sanctis & Maë Lestage
Artistic support: Nicanor de Elia
Life support: Yaelle Antoine
Photography: Camilla La Verde
Graphic design: Alma Kaiser
Administration: Collectif Tarabiscoté
Residencies & partners:
La Grainerie · Erasmus+ · Pistacatro · ESAC To Lido · Le Samovar · CNAC
Language: English with surtitles
Created and performed by: Marianna De Sanctis & Maë Lestage
Artistic support: Nicanor de Elia
Life support: Yaelle Antoine
Photography: Camilla La Verde
Graphic design: Alma Kaiser
Administration: Collectif Tarabiscoté
Residencies & partners:
La Grainerie · Erasmus+ · Pistacatro · ESAC To Lido · Le Samovar · CNAC