Categories
Scandinavia DACH region

Alexander Ekman – Hammer (for GöteborgsOperans Danskompani)

May 24th – 25th, 2025 Zorlu Performing Arts Center, Istanbul
June 29th – July 5th, 2025 Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona
November 14th – 16th, 2025 LG Arts Center, Seoul
November 21st -22nd, 2025 Busan Cultural Center, Busan
March 29th, 2026 Steps Festival, Lugano
April 24th – 26th, 2026 Dansens Hus, Stockholm
Approx. 2 h 15 min (including 40 min interval)

A Joy Called Ekman

© Tilo Stengel

In Hammer, a harmonious community shares an altruistic lifestyle inspired by the hippie era. They run, play, sing and enjoy life together. But slowly, the community progresses towards the modern age with its ubiquitous surveillance. The group’s behaviour becomes increasingly egotistical and individualistic. When we return for the second act, we find ourselves in a different place. Now we meet a group of self-conscious people in lonely bubbles. Eventually, unable to cope with all the false pretences, they are forced to relinquish their image-conscious facades and return to an altruistic existence.

Multi-award-winning choreographer Alexander Ekman is bold, unpredictable and innovative, just like GöteborgsOperans Danskompani. His visually powerful work turns a spotlight on contemporary society’s self-image, often with a humorous twist. Ekman has created some 50 works, which have been performed by almost as many companies worldwide. Hammer, a full evening in two acts, is his third work for GöteborgsOperans Danskompani.

Categories
Mediterranea DACH region

Echoes of ’78 – Kontakthof

November 26th/27th/29th/30th & December 1st, 2024
Opernhaus Wuppertal, Wuppertal

May 13rd – 15th, 2025 Theatertreffen, Berlin
October 11th, 2025 Festspielhaus St. Pölten, St. Pölten
October 15th – 18th, 2025 Amare, The Hague

November 7th – 9th, 2025 SIDCT, Shanghai
June 4th – 6th, 2026 Opernhaus Wuppertal, Wuppertal
June 10th – 11th, 2026 LAC, Lugano
100 minutes

A New Encounter with Kontakthof

Photo: Ulli Weiss ©Pina Bausch Foundation

Originally premiered in 1978, Kontakthof is a seminal piece in Pina Bausch’s repertoire, created at a time when her work was beginning to receive international recognition.  

It is said that Pina often mused on the idea of seeing her original cast dance the piece when older. Now, 45 years later, a new encounter with Kontakthof is being created by choreographer Meryl Tankard, who was one of the main characters in 1978. 

Eight of the original dancers return to their roles as the production creates a poignant interaction between past and present. Kontakthof – Echoes of ‘78 integrates projections of archival footage from their performances as younger dancers, and with company members no longer on stage.  

Sadler’s Wells, Pina Bausch Foundation and Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch