Johanna Heusser // valse, valse, valse

In the organizer's words:

The waltz is a dance with a turbulent past. Not so long ago, it was a thorn in the side of the upper classes and the clergy and was sometimes banned - because it was too close to the opposite sex and unleashed immoral impulses. The core of the chaste fear: the power of the spins would put the dancers into an ecstatic state, into a three-quarter time ecstasy. Following in the footsteps of this story, choreographer Johanna Heusser explores what the waltz stands for today with four dancers and three musicians. Together, they shed light on the ambivalences of a dance that is now associated with high society and bubbly affluence. They explore the trance that can arise from the interplay of movement and music. Will it be possible to uncover the historical potential for rebellion and intoxication?

In the workshop before the first performance, Heusser provides insights into the production process and shows how waltzes work in a contemporary context. Even beyond gender norms.

approx. 60min, without intermission

Choreography, artistic direction Johanna Heusser Dance Neil Höhener, Simea Cavelti, Momo Tanner, David Speiser, Emeric Rabot Musicians Marie Jeger, Joachim Flüeler, Sebastian Loetscher Musical direction Xenia Wiener Stage, lighting Marc Vilanova Dramaturgy Johanna Hilari, Fiona Schreier Costumes Diana Ammann Outside Eyes Katharina Germo, Stephan Stock Production management Maxine Devaud / oh la la - performing arts production Administration Angie Mennillo / oh la la - performing arts production Assistance Arina Fröhlich Technical management Chiara Leonhardt Photos Simon Hitzinger Co-productions ROXY Birsfelden, DSCHUNGEL Wien, Strauss Festival Vienna, Theater im Pumpenhaus, Bühne Aarau Funding Fachausschuss Darstellende Künste BS/BL, Pro Helvetia, SSA, Schweizerische Interpretenstiftung SIS, Landis & Gyr Stiftung, Stiftung Corymbo In cooperation with Stadttheater Langenthal (CH), Südpol Luzern (CH) Residency partners: Tanzhaus Zürich (CH), Dampfzentrale Bern (CH)