Ballet of the Maribor Slovenian National Theatre
Choreographers: Alexander Ekman, Edward Clug, Jiři Kylián

Alexander Ekman: Left right left right
Edward Clug: Handman
Jiři Kylián: Falling angels

All three of these contemporary ballet pieces are externally playful, yet the internal mechanism that drives them is sophisticated and functions with almost military precision. The challenge faced by the dancers when performing these virtuoso pieces demands a breathtaking level of synchronised cooperation that creates the sensation of a light and attractive game. All three pieces, created in different eras, were originally commissioned by the Netherlands Dance Theatre (NDT).

One of the most interesting choreographers of his generation, Swedish trailblazer Alexander Ekman likes to explore existential questions that are symptomatic of contemporary human life. Left Right Left Rightis thus a unique study of human movement imbued with a refined irony. A similar impression is created by Edward Clug’s Handman, a piece notable for its humorous innovativeness and detailed honing of the entire constellation of movement that earned him a nomination for the prestigious Prix Benois de la Danse in 2017. Jiří Kylián’s piece Falling Angelsuses minimalist music by Steve Reich, created on the basis of the composer’s own impressions of ritual music from Ghana.

The alternative date in case of a bad weather is July 14 2020. The definitive date will be decided on a day of the event and announced online at ljubljanafestival.si.

Text and photos courtesy of Ljubljana Festival.