Through the Grapevine is an idiosyncratic pas de deux for two men. Performers Alexander Vantournhout and Axel Guérin show their bodies, stripped of all extras. They are trained but far from perfect, and do not try to convince the audience with virtuoso moves. Their athletic bodies hit physical limits along the way. Through their movements, they discover the strengths and weaknesses of their own physicality. The choreography plays with these differences in proportions and physical strength. With great effort and concentration, the performers seek balance, equilibrium and harmony, but they don’t shy away from humour either. They challenge and help each other, each in turn leading the dance. Uninterrupted contact between the two gradually reveals the interdependence of touching and being touched as the basic melody of the piece.
concept and choreography
Alexander Vantournhout
dancers
Axel Guérin, Alexander Vantournhout
created in partnership with
Emmi Väisänen, Axel Guérin, Alexander Vantournhout
music
Andrea Belfi
stage directions
Rudi Laermans
choreographic eye
Anneleen Keppens
lighting design
Harry Cole
technician
Rinus Samyn
costumes
Anne-Catherine Kunz
scenographic concept
Bjorn Verlinde
with thanks to
Vera Tussing
distribution
Frans Brood Productions
business management of the dance company
Esther Maas
production manager
Aïda Gabriëls
co-producers
Kunstencentrum Vooruit, PERPLX, CENTQUATRE, Paris (FR), Cirque-théâtre Elbeuf (FR), Subsistances, Lyon (FR), Théâtre de la Ville de Luxembourg, Luxembourg (LU), MA scène Nationale – Pays de Montbéliard (FR), Les Hivernales CDCN, Avignon (FR), Malpertuis, Theater Freiburg (DE), Théâtre des Quatre Saisons, Gradignan (FR)
in partnership with
Mechelen Cultural Centre
This is Alexander Vantournhout’s seventh production. After La Rose en Céramique (2018) and Raphael (2017), it is his first real duet and to a certain extent it expands upon the themes of ANECKXANDER (2015). Once again, the body is presented in a very pure form, with the production continuing to hone in on the creative, kinetic potential of physical limitations: a theme that runs throughout his oeuvre. Following the production on location, SCREWS, that took you through all our buildings last year, Vantournhout is returning to the auditorium with his partner in crime Axel Guérin.
