In this conference paper, I will analyze the relationship between the text and the performance of Zong!, by Marlene NourbeSe Philip (2011).

Firstly I will introduce the author;

secondly, I will briefly present the historical fact known as the Zong massacre;

later I will describe the book Zong!, showing the structure and underlining some key-points of the text;

in the central part of the presentation, I will focus on the performance of Zong!: initially, I will offer a deep analysis of the performance, and then I will highlight some general concepts.

In the last part of the presentation I will share three arguable theses related to the connection between the text and the performance, in particular:

  1. the vertical movement of the performer’s body reminds of the words in the printed text;

  2. the names in the footnotes are performed differently in every poem in order to symbolically provide them with a unique voice;

  3. the repetition of some elements in the performance works as a bridge to the African spiritual tradition.

Finally, I will offer some questions for discussion, and I will report the main contributions from the audience.

The work includes slides and written text. Every section of the text is connected to the slide located at the top of the chapter. However, the text proceeds coherently through the different sections, and it is possible to read it without resorting to the slides.

Zong!, A.L.Minnucci (Slides+Text)

Zong!, A.L.Minnucci SLIDES