CHOREIA – a PolyBallett

CocoonDance invites you to rediscover the space between stage and audience. The Greek word "choreia" refers to the equal practice of song, speech, and dance in the chorus—a tradition to which the piece "Polyballet" refers. Here, choral bodies, sounds, and movements, inspired by folklore, ballet, and ancient comedy, unfold into a multi-voiced web that transcends rigid boundaries.

The Bonn-based company is not interested in the consonance and unity of the chorus' community, but rather in its difference—in the friction, the drifting apart, the juxtaposition of voices and movements, from which a different form of togetherness can emerge.

Based on the practice of the ancient chorus, in which song, speech, and movement were inextricably linked, dance is no longer understood as merely a silent embodiment: the voice returns. Not as a message, but as a vibrant gesture – as a touch at a distance, as an echo of the utopia of a different togetherness that reminds us of the power of togetherness in times of isolation.

CocoonDance is one of the most successful dance companies in Germany: the Faust Prize, invitation to the dance platform, top-level funding from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, and the Doppelpass Plus funding from the Federal Cultural Foundation rightly recognize the artistic quality of the work of choreographer Rafaële Giovanola and dramaturge Rainald Endraß, who have been working together since 2000 and have regularly brought their art to the stage with us for 10 years.

Rafaele Giovanola "Choreia – ein Polyballett"

"Die Deutschlandpremiere von «Choreia – ein PolyBallett» im Düsseldorfer tanzhaus nrw beweist einmal mehr, wie eigen, kreativ und konsequent die Choreografin Rafaële Giovanola und ihr Ensemble CocoonDance arbeiten. Seit 2016 hat sich die Compagnie der Denkfigur des «ungedachten Körpers» verschrieben. Was diese genuine Choreografin an Kunstleibern so entstehen lässt – Figuren zwischen Mensch und Insekt, Pflanze, Avatar oder Maschine – grenzt bisweilen an Magie: Wesen, die sich bewegen, wie man es nie sah. Diesmal hat die Schweizerin den Leib um das «Körperteil» Stimme erweitert. [...] So enthält die gemeinschaftsstiftende
Performance auch eine politische Botschaft: Steht zusammen! Das glückliche Lachen des ineinander verschlungenen Ensembles, das sich in die Dunkelheit zurückzieht, spricht Bände."

von Bettina Trouwborst bei Der Theaterverlag

By and with: Álvaro Esteban, Cristina Commisso, Margaux Dorsaz, Evandro Pedroni, Léonce Konan Noah, Jenna Hendry, Nora Monsecour, Louis Thuriot/ Cola Lucot/ Bojana Mitrovic // Choreography, direction: Rafaële Giovanola // Composition: Franco Mento // Live Electronic: Szymon Wojcek // Light, space: Annegret Schalke, Jan Wiesbrock // Costumes: Fa-Hsuan Chen //Vocal training, coaching: Justin F. Kennedy, Karine Barman, Leah Marojevic // Dramaturgy: Rainald Endrass // Video documentation, pictures: Michael Maurissens/ CARRE BLANC PRODUCTIONS // Press work: Fabiana Uhart, Rainald Endrass // Social media: Maud Richard // Production managment: Marcus Bomski // Administration: Maxime Rappaz // Management: Aurélie Martin

In Coproduction with Théâtre du Crochetan Monthey (CH), Tanzhaus NRW Düsseldorf, Theater im Ballsaal Bonn, Pumpenhaus Münster, Ringlokschuppen Ruhr, Le Phare - Centre chorégraphique national du Havre et de Normandie (FR), Charleroi Danse centre chorégraphique de Wallonie – Bruxelles (BE), Pavillon Noir Aix-en-Provence (FR), Cité Bleue Genève (CH)

Collaboration avec Malévoz Quartier Culturel Monthey, Kunst- und Ausstellungshalle der Bundesrepublik Deutschland Bonn

Funded by Kunststiftung NRW, Ministerium für Kultur und Wissenschaft des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen, NATIONALES PERFORMANCE NETZ Coproduction Fund for Dance, which is funded by the Federal Govern-ment Commissioner for Culture and the Media, Bundesstadt Bonn, Théâtre-ProVS, Le Conseil de la Culture Etat du Valais, La Loterie Romande.

With friendly support of Corodis and La Loterie Romande

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