October 29, 2024
by: Peter Rombouts / photos by Hans Gerritsen

In the opening program HEROES by Introdans, energy bursts from the stage once again. The dancers unleash their talents across four vastly different ballets, something they do like no other company. Humor and accessibility are central, allowing the emotional impact to resonate powerfully with the audience.

The first ballet, SH-Boom (1994), by the choreographic duo Sol León and Paul Lightfoot, sets the tone right away. Inspired by the satirical black-and-white illustrations of Spanish painter Francisco de Goya, we witness filmic dance miniatures brimming with expression and humor. Four women in long black dresses and men mostly in white underwear sharply highlight contrasts, underlining the notion not to take things too seriously. As one of the duo’s early works, the influences of Jiří Kylián are clearly visible. The use of popular songs from the 1930s and 1940s and the often theatrical expressions of the dancers also bring to mind Pina Bausch. A standout moment is when a nude dancer performs a solo with a small saucepan, chased by the four female dancers each illuminating him with a light. This theatrical blend leaves you wanting more.

The second ballet, Iungo by Adriaan Luteijn, is a light in this darkness. Connection and bridge-building are the keys to happiness, and he portrays this joy in its simplest form. Iungo means “to connect” in Latin. In the backdrop, we see the Introdans dancers approaching through a green meadow with an idyllic horizon. Through a clever trick, the dancers then climb over a small wall at the back of the stage, suddenly becoming live on stage. A long bench is also present, on which guest dancer Eva Eikhout sits.

Eva, who has a physical disability, and guest dancer Joseph Tebandeke from Uganda, also with a disability, perform all the movements of the choreography without hesitation. This creates a strength and unity that is not only admirable but also commands respect, bringing forth a natural emotional impact. At times, they perform a pas de deux with one of the Introdans dancers and sometimes with each other. When they dance together, unique forms and movements emerge, reminding us that each individual contributes to a world still too often confined by labels. A beautiful moment unfolds as they all climb back over the wall and reappear in the film, walking together toward the setting sun.

After the intermission, the stage belongs to Boulevard of Broken Dreams, choreographed by Israeli choreographer Inbal Pinto. This is a lighthearted, comedic ballet with a painted landscape curtain as the backdrop. All seven dancers, male or female, wear airy red dresses, adding levity to the gender-neutral theme. Their flowing movement style makes clever use of the curtain as a tool for disappearing and reappearing, especially effective with the spirited music mixes from Maya Belsitzman and Maria Teresa Vera, among others. At one point, a dancer appears in a breezy green dress—a reminder of the occasional desire to stand out. Each dancer has the opportunity to do so, as one by one, they effortlessly slip out of their dress only for another to step in.

The final ballet, Daily Hero by Regina van Berkel, resembles a sleek fashion show. Van Berkel designed costumes from denim jackets brought by the audience, creating a look that is trendy, sexy, and fashionable. Though denim isn’t the most dance-friendly fabric, the aesthetic works, and the muscular, lean Introdans dancers make perfect models. They glide across the stage on relevé with elegance and flair. A couple in black denim separates slightly from the group, their movements more neurotic and jittery. Stunning ballet solos and pas de deux are highlights, yet overall, the ballet feels overly long, especially in the final section where the entire group moves as one. This sequence could have been cut in half. Despite this, the concept and Dietmar Janeck’s striking set design, combined with the stylish costumes, make for a modern and infectious performance.

https://www.theaterparadijs.nl/dans/recensie-inclusie-troef-bij-heroes-van-introdans