SCREWS

Five dancer-acrobats guide you along a route of reverberating micro performances, from short solos and duets to pointed group choreographies.

Usually, a bowling ball has only one function: to knock over as many pins as possible at the end of the lane. But what if you remove this object from its usual environment? Screws, the latest performance by Alexander Vantournhout, turns the relationship between the body and the object around. Objects are fastened to the body, either providing support or throwing it off balance, allowing gravity to be overcome or rather enhancing its effects. With the help of ice shoes, bowling balls, antigravity shoes and other objects, the dancers of Screws defy the laws of physics.

Choreography: Alexander Vantournhout

Created by: Petra Steindl, Josse De Broeck, Felix Zech, Hendrik van Maele, Emmi Väisänen, Alexander Vantournhout

In season 23-24 performed by: Nick Robaey, Charlotte Cétaire, Yassine Ouaamou, Axel Guérin & Esse Vanderbruggen

Previously performed by: Jessica Eirado Enes, Harrison Claxton, Batist Van Baekel, Axel Guérin, Alexandros Anastasiadis & Jean-Pierre Burre

Dramaturgy: Sébastien Hendrickx

Intellectual in residence: Rudi Laermans

Choreographic help: Anneleen Keppens, Martin Kilvady

Costumes: Anne-Catherine Kunz

Technique: Rinus Samyn

Light design: Tim Oelbrandt

Technique design: Bert Van Dijck, Rinus Samyn, Tom Reynaerts, Tom Daniels

Constructor: Willy Cauwelier

Photos: Bart Grietens

Company manager: Esther Maas

Coproductions: Kunstencentrum VIERNULVIER, Gent (BE), MA scène nationale – Pays de Montbéliard (FR), PERPLX, Marke (BE), Circa, Auch (FR)

Residencies: Kunstencentrum VIERNULVIER, Gent (BE), Platforme 2 Pôles Cirque en Normandie/La Brêche à Cherbourg-Cirque-Théâtred’Elbeuf (FR), Cultuurcentrum, Brugge (BE) Wood Cube, Roeselare (BE), Workspace, Brussels (BE), MA scène nationale – Pays de Montbéliard (FR), Circa, Auch (FR)

Thanks to: Lore Missine, Veerle Mans, Bauke Lievens, Maria Madeira, Lien Vanbossele, Monuments Nationaux de France et Simon Pons-Rotbardt

Production: Not Standing vzw

With the support of the Flemish Authorities.

Alexander Vantournhout is artist-in-residence in Kunstencentrum VIERNULVIER in Ghent and associated artist of le CENTQUATRE Paris and Cirque-théâtre Elbeuf. He’s cultural ambassador of the city of Roeselare and supported by Fondation BNP Paribas for the development of his projects.

🏆 Het TheaterFestival 2020

In 2022 we created Screws XL. An extended version of Screws with 10 adult performers and 6 children. More information here.

“SCREWS, an ode to physical intelligence. SCREWS makes us realise that the majority of Flemish theatre is dead rather than alive. Well versed in circus, Alexander Vantournhout injects the performing arts with an unprecedented suspense and physicality.” — Etcetera

“SCREWS is a direct hit by Alexander Vantournhout. Because of the craftsmanship that unmistakably comes from it and the artistic ingenuity on top of that. But also simply for the almost childlike pleasure that you experience as a viewer.” — Jury Het TheaterFestival