SuckerPunch

Manuel Kiros Paolini received a contribution to develop an interdisciplinary performance titled  SuckerPunch with theatre-makers Jonathan Bonny, Marcus Tesch and Iacopo Loliva.

Inspired by real events of a homophobic attack, SuckerPunch presents the attack as a love story. The idea for the play emerged in 2021 in response to a new wave of anti-homophobic legislation across Europe (Hungary, Italy and Russia, among others) and around the world. Manuel, Iacopo, Jonathan and Marcus felt the need to create a play that would offer a counterpoint and take a critical look at religious bigotry and conservative values about masculinity. SuckerPunch places the two main characters in a metaphorical boxing ring, where they fight their way through shame and sexuality in a constant search for genuine intimacy. Using intense theatricality, electronic beats and monologues based on real experiences, SuckerPunch is the play that subverts the traditional notion of masculinity.