Charlotta Öfverholm mit «The Last Forecast»

“Kody Zivota/the Last Forecast” by Compagnie Jus de la Vie working in the Czech Republic who share a background at the British company DV8. “Kody Zivota” is Czech for human codes, and “the Last Forecast” quotes a poem by Harold Pinter. A mildly provocative piece, it calls into question boundaries of both a personal and a political nature. 

In keeping with its cosmopolitan origins, the performance focuses on identity, power and oppression. Five figures, all identically dressed in black with black hair and black moustaches, radiate a feeling of powerless yet cheerful resistance.

The Balkan mood created by the set and quirky choreography is enhanced by klezmer music, written and performed by musicians James Friedman and Lauri Antila.

The Balkans are widely associated with immigration and concepts like “Fortress Europe.” In this piece, the hardship of immigrant life is symbolised by heavy stones that are carried about and used as building blocks, but never thrown; tomatoes are used for throwing. The audience is encouraged to throw tomatoes at a blindfolded Henrik Bäckbro. I was surprised to see how happily some took part in the throwing while only a few resisted Tobias Hallgren’s ...