June 26, 2025
by Sander Janssens, Joris Henquet, Gidi Heesakkers, Annette Embrechts, Vincent Kouters, Ela Çolak, Mina Etemad and Hein Janssen

The past theatre season was marked by depth, farewells, mental health, and fresh perspectives. Within this rich offering, Iungo and Typhoon have been named two of the five best dance performances of the season.

Both productions moved audiences with their intensity, social relevance, and artistic power. They embody what theatre represents today: openness, innovation, and a deeper connection with the audience. Their place in the top 5 highlights the significance and impact of contemporary dance within the Dutch theatre landscape.

Top 5 Dance

1. Oasis by choreographer Denden Karadeniz, performed by Zero Dance Theatre. A beautifully collective dance journey about everyone’s individual search for reflection, featuring bold silences and a fluid blend of hip-hop and contemporary dance.
2. Iungo by choreographer Adriaan Luteijn, performed by Introdans with guest dancers Eva Eikhout and Joseph Tebandeke. Incredibly moving encounters on, under, behind, and in front of a fence: a powerful group piece about seeking connection while maintaining independence.
3. Alphabets of Flesh by Rover, Roshanak Morrowatian, and Mami Izumi. A glowing duet between two contrasting dance personalities about displacement, belonging, and what it means for a body to live “in diaspora.”
4. Into the Hairy XL by choreographer Sharon Eyal, performed by Nederlands Dans Theater 1 and Sharon Eyal Dance (S-E-D). A chillingly strong expansion from seven to 28 dark dance souls breathing as one, staring straight into the face of our ominous world.
5. Typhoon by choreographer Krisztina de Châtel, performed by Introdans. A fierce revival of an iconic dance classic about the resilient human being, endlessly battling the storm force of three wind machines.

Read the full article at volkskrant.nl.