Ping Pong Game

The Belarussian choreographer Olga Labovkina experimented with the dancers from the company Of Curious Nature and now presents their collective work. The choreograph focuses on elementary and complex means of communication between people, apart from those of verbal nature.

As a starting point and representation for the working process Laborkina chose the game of ping-pong, in which the motions of the opponent cause a continues reaction and counter-reactions. The often rapid play of the game always additionally includes a set of agreements, which encapture the players. The passion and subterfuge within the game, the unavoidable reactions, the fixation on the pitch, as well as the element of surprise are part of the winners tactics. The balls roll and the impulses fly, while the dancers test out the lines between initial movement and reaction.

“We are the players, and we are the game. Looks, words, emotions, feelings, opportunities, motivations, limits, energies… are flying. The game is full of rules and agreements and captures the players completely within the arms appearances and pretense. Do we recognize the fine line between devotion and dependence?” Olga Labovkina

Thus, in this piece, principles of ping pong interweave with the varied means of expression in contemporary dance. In this humorous work by Labovkina and the company, the choreography evolves into a reflection of appearance and reality within relationships.

Before the performance begins, the audience is warmly invited to participate in an introduction into movement and its intention and motive.

_{Choreography: Olga Labovkina| Choreographic assistance, training management: Keith Chin | Dance: Dori Yen Chu Ku, Casey Hess, Daria Hordiichuk, Myles Langston Hunter, Noémie Larcheveque, Xavier Lott, Daiana Mankovska, Virginia Michailidou, Andrea Scarfi, Alice Zucconi | Production: TanzRAUM Nord | Coproduction: steptext dance project}

Premiere: 27. April 2023 | 8:00 pm
28. April 2023 | 8:00 pm
29. April 2023 | 8:00 pm

Schwankhalle Bremen