Dead: A Slight History of One Called Ivan

Dead: A Slight History of One Called Ivan is a collaborative danceplay by Gary Gordon and Reza de Wet (1952-2012).

Devised by the Gordon and the First Physical Theatre Company, based on a script by De Wet and an original music score by Leonhard Praeg, the text follows the life of a character called "Ivan", providing "an expressionist and surreal journey through his damaged life from cradle to death." (Juanita Praeg, 2018). Apparently De Wet was working on a Russian play at the time, which meant she was steeped in Russian world of St Petersburg. The play is based on quotes from Jean Genet and Marquis de Sade and employs two characters, Mr Horace Balls, the "Ivan's drunk and dishevelled biographer" and an ever-present Singer, to tell the story.

The text of the script and a description of the work (by Juanita Finestone-Praeg) has been published in Physical Intelligence Volume 1: Experiments in Physical Theatre (First Physical Theatre Company, 2002).

1996: Performed by the First Physical Theatre Company at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown duing July, choreographed by Gary Gordon, with Lindsay Reardon, original music score written and performed live on the accordion by Leonhard Praeg (playing the accordion live), plus additional music from Zhalejka–folklore from St Petersburg. Designs by Lindy Roberts

Juanita Finestone-Praeg. 2002. Physical Intelligence Volume 1: Experiments in Physical Theatre. Grahamstown: First Physical Theatre Company.

Juanita Praeg. 2018. "Drifting: Reminiscing. Remembering. Reinventing. Reza" (Draft manuscript, courtesy of the author.)