DON GNU presents Human in Balance on unique balance stage

Can a gigantic balance stage form the framework for a political and European showdown? How do we balance between power and the individual in Europe in 2017? These are questions that the Aarhus based theater DON GNU focuses on in the performance Human in Balance in cooperation with the Cyprus Dance House Lemesos and the Aarhus based Bora Bora Dance and Visual Theatre.

In 2017, the European Capitals of Culture Aarhus and Pafos and the Cyprus city Limassol provide a framework for a rethinking stage show, which is performed on a giant balance stage of steel and aluminum. The balance stage called The Turmoil measures 5 meters in diameter and weighs about half a ton.

The symbolic forces of the balance stage
“The inspiration for this project comes from the experience we’ve had making the show N.A.R.G. – North Arena Rumble Game,” says Sigrid Aakvik, who is the producer of DON GNU. The balance stage is staging a universal problem, where democracy, power and cooperation become obvious themes. The balance stage expresses the conflicts: balance versus unbalance and equal status versus unequal status. Themes that come to life through the actors' and the dancers’ movements on the sensitive foundation.

DON GNU, Dance House Lemesos and Bora Bora tries to make an artistic visualization of the balance between power and the individual in Europe with the performance Human in Balance. It will create focus on the human as individual and fellow citizen.

The audience is included 
The project will focus on the human interaction between audience and the dancers on the balance stage.

“With the show, we hope to engage the audience, both in their thoughts and their body. When the gigantic balance stage is set in rotation, you can feel the wind blow in the hair and the dancers’ exertion. The audience becomes a rocking crowd as the balance stage moves. At the end you’ll find yourself at the edge of your chair,” Sigrid Aakvik explains. 

The project does not only include the audience under the show, but also involves the locals in the preliminary preparations. In the start-up phase in Cyprus, there will be conducted open rehearsals where local citizens are invited to look into the process and discuss the themes and how they are experienced on stage. 

Artistic European collaboration
According to Sigrid Aakvik, Pafos is in many ways different from Aarhus but common characteristics do appear and they will be reunited on the balance stage and in the meeting between actors and audiences. In collaboration with the artists from Cyprus, DON GNU will explore European problematics with the human at the centre. The start-up phase takes place in the Cypriot city Limassol, where the collaborator Dance House Lemasol is placed. The performance will receive a local twist in each location. 

Performances in Pafos, Limassol and Aarhus
In May and June 2017, DON GNU will work on and perform Human in Balance in Limassol and Pafos. After the performances in Cyprus, the tour continues to Denmark in Aarhus. In October and November, DON GNU will work with the Aarhus version and the premiere will be at Bora Bora. 

Read more about the artists behind the project at their homepage here and visit their Facebook page here.