The Eternal Return

Is each day the same? Is life no more than ‘endless repetition’? Routine offers structure but also reinforces the monotony of the everyday. In The Eternal Return, choreographer Clément Layes counterbalances time by breaking through its linearity, while revealing a multitude of actions. Inspired by Polish director Zbigniew Rybczynski’s Oscar-winning short film Tango (1981), Layes translates the interplay of characters into a dance performance. Just like in the film, normal people performing prosaic actions increasingly populate a closed space. Through repetition and accumulation, a single phrase of motion evolves into a complex, kaleidoscopic web. Whereas Rybczynski’s film reflects on Polish village life under socialism, Clément Layes invites us to consider Western society’s malaise. Momentarily, he playfully reveals the magic of life.

Vorige Volgende

The Eternal Return at STUK Leuven is supported by the NATIONALES PERFORMANCE NETZ International Guest Performance Fund for Dance, which is funded by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media.

Credits

choreography Clément Layes | performance Asaf Aharonson, Daniel Almgren Recén, Cécile Bally, Rafal Dziemidok, Ulrike Gabe, Steven Koglin, Calissa Layes, Felix Marchand, Lee Méir, Ixchel Mendoza Hernández, Larisa Navojec, Liselotte Singer, Bahar Temiz, André Uerba, Nir Vidan, Albrecht Walter & Leuvense Performers | dramaturgy Jonas Rutgeerts | artistic collaboration Jasna L. Vinovrski | sound Steve Heather | scenography Jonas Maria Droste, Chris Gylee & Clément Layes | light design Ruth Waldeyer | costumes Malena Modeer | a production by Public in Private / Clément Layes | with support by nationales performance Netz (npn) | co-production platform 0090, manège - scène nationale de Reims | subsidised by the capital cultural fund, the senate department for culture and Europe en the fonds transfabrik - german-french fonds for the performing arts | with support by STUK house for dance, image & sound, fabrik potsdam en sophiensæle | thanks to flutgraben e.v. | The Eternal Return at STUK Leuven is supported by the NATIONALES PERFORMANCE NETZ International Guest Performance Fund for Dance, which is funded by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media