Johan Inger, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui: «Blanco», «End»

The Cullberg 2006 double bill consists of “End” by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and “Blanco” by Johan Inger. The central theme throughout is the motif of the Wall, in a political as well as metaphorical, psycho­lo­­gical and spiritual sense.The wall has become Johan Inger’s trademark; in “Blanco” it is a huge wavy screen on the right side of the stage that somehow seems to be connected to the central character. He, the charismatic Thomas Zamolo, is eventually forced to face the one truth about walls – their futility.

In the opening sequence of “Blanco,” the asymmetric distortions invading the dancer’s bodies are balanced by almost meltingly soft movement energy. The intricately choreographed solos, duets and groups for eight dancers are constantly on the verge of becoming mannerist but thanks to the excellent dancers this never happens. Gradually, frustration gives way to harmony, sprinkled with humour and irony, before dissolving into aggression leading to disintegration and isolation. The end is ambiguous; the weightless off-balance movements flow through Izumi Shuto’s body and out into infinity in a kind of acceptance of the innate contradictions of human life that is immediately negated ...