B.R.I.S.A NDT2

B.R.I.S.A

NDT2(Nederlands Dans Theater2) is closing the season in the Netherlands with an energetic piece(B.R.I.S.A), Created by Johan Inger(Stockholm,1967), former NDT1 dancer and since 2009 associate choreographer of the company. Inger studied at the Royal Swedisch Ballet School and the National Ballet School in Canada. Facinated by the works of Kylian, he accompanied NDT1. Ingers talents to choreograph were soon discovered. Inger started to create for NDT in 2009 and made several pieces, B.R.I.S.A. included. A piece supported with music of the Jazz diva Nina Simone.

Imre Van Opstal in B.R.I.S.A

On the stage lies a brown carpet that fills up almost the whole space. In the front of the stage a huge curtain of black strings, depriving a part of the view from the spectator which makes it seem more intimate together with the soft warm lights. Almost a homely atmosphere. You can see the dancers slowly comming up the stage. The whole group of dancers shuffles with tiny steps trough the space, arms against their body’s. You already can feel theire energy/presence. All dancers each wear a different costume. Pants, dresses etc.. I couldn’t see a patern In the clothes they wore. All in different colors but in a way they al fit together and created a kind of chaos and individuality for the dancers. The piece was changing, dancers went of and it turned into a solo with Imre Van Opstal , personally one of my favorite dancers because of her powerfull way of moving and and natural expression on stage. A solo whereby it seemed to look like she was constantly pulled to the floor, organicaly and grounded. The piece developed more and it became more hectical. Group parts with lots of traveling trough al the space, strong interaction and expression, people thrown in the air. It suprised me how much the dancers could give me a feeling of exitement and energy. Also the brightness of the decor changes with the development of the piece. The dancers used various devises that produced wind. In a verry playfull/dancing way they created a kind of game who would stand in the air, who would use the devises and enjoy the new kind of energy that came from it. In the piece there were a bit to much changes for me. This made it even more chaotic. But for me it was clear why they did it. Always with a intention or goal for the development of the piece.

The wind blows life, the storm is the driver of a new energy, of change (...) On this solid bedding- Johan Inger

In my taste, it was fascinating from beginning till the end. The jazzy music from Nina Simone goes very well with the movements along the piece, what makes it playfull and enjoyable to watch. As a spectator I can feel that energy trough the dancers. They translated it realy well, physically and expressively. A great job from the choreographer who suprised me over and over again trough the performance by translating it in such an unexpected way. I left the theater with a feeling of excitement and happiness, it truly touched me in a joyful way.

Choreographer:                                                             Johan Inger

Assistent of the choreographer:                                   Urtzi Aranburu

Dramaturg:                                                                    Gregor Acuna

Music:                                                                             New composition by Amos Ben-Tal

                                                                                         Nina Simone: Black Swan, Wild is the wind, Sinnerman

Light:                                                                               Tom Visser

Decor:                                                                              Johan Inger

Costumes:                                                                        Bregje van Balen

Duration:                                                                         40 min

Theater aan het spui, Den Haag, 6 march 2014