Through the Grapevine
Through the Grapevine is a quirky pas de deux between two men. Performers Alexander Vantournhout and Axel Guérin show their bodies, stripped of all frills.
They are trained but certainly not perfect. They do not try to convince with virtuous movements. Gradually, their athletic bodies collide with physical limitations and their movements guide them in the discovery of the strengths and weaknesses of their own specific physique. The choreography creates an interplay between these differences in proportions and physical strength. With great effort and concentration, the performers search for balance, equilibrium, and harmony without shying away from humour. They challenge one another and drive each other forward, alternately leading the dance. Through constant mutual physical contact, the synergy between touching and being touched unfolds as the base melody of the performance.
Through the Grapevine is the seventh performance by Alexander Vantournhout, following La Rose en Céramique (2018) and Raphaël (2017). It’s his first true duet and builds upon the thematic aspects of ANECKXANDER (2015) to a certain extent. The body is reintroduced in a highly pure form and the performance delves into the creative, kinetic potential of physical limitations, a theme that is reflected throughout his oeuvre. Following the on-scene performance of SCREWS (2019), Alexander dives back into the theatre, with partner in crime Axel Guérin, whom we previously saw as one of the performers in Red Haired Men (2018).
Within the context of Through the Grapevine, Alexander Vantournhout and duet partner Axel Guérin created The Cabinet, showing you the uniqueness of every human body.
→ Standing Height — Sitting Height
→ Arm Span
“This hour-long exercise in intimacy and trust melds circus acrobatics and dance with admirably concentrated ingenuity.” — ★★★★ The Times UK
Concept & choreography: Alexander Vantournhout
Created in collaboration with: Emmi Väisänen & Axel Guérin
Performers: Axel Guérin & Alexander Vantournhout
Composer: Andrea Belfi
Dramaturgy: Rudi Laermans
Lighting design: Caroline Mathieu
Lighting proposal: Harry Cole
Technics: Rinus Samyn
Concept scenography: Bjorn Verlinde
“After his brilliant debut show Aneckxander and his most recent success SCREWS, Vantournhout takes a next step towards an intriguing theatrical language that combines the gracefulness of dance with the boundlessness of circus and the tender intimacy of a narrative.” — ★★★★ Knack Focus
Costumes: Anne-Catherine Kunz
Outside eye: Anneleen Keppens & Maria Ferreira Silva
Special thanks to: Bram Vandeghinste, Sébastien Hendrickx, Vera Tussing, Gerald Kurdian & Esse Vanderbruggen
“As always, Vantournhout's work is so ingenious that it is impossible to describe. You can only look with admiration and concentration at the phenomenal physical intelligence exhibited here.” — ★★★★ De Standaard
“The strength and agility of Vantournhout and Guérin is incredible!” — ★★★★ The Reviews Hub
Distribution: Frans Brood Productions
Company manager: Esther Maas
Production manager: Aïda Gabriëls
Photos: Bart Grietens
Through the Grapevine - Axel Guérin & Alexander Vantournhout © Bart Grietens
Production: not standing
Coproducers: Kunstencentrum VIERNULVIER, Ghent (BE), PERPLX, Marke (BE), CENTQUATRE, Paris (FR), Cirque-théâtre Elbeuf (FR), Subsistances, Lyon (FR), Théâtre de la Ville de Luxembourg, Luxembourg (LU), MA scène nationale – Pays de Montbéliard (FR), Les Hivernales CDCN, Avignon (FR), Malpertuis, Tielt (BE), Theater Freiburg (DE), Théâtre des Quatre Saisons, Gradignan (FR), Théâtre de l’Arsenal, Val-de-Reuil (FR)
Residencies: les ballets C de la B, Ghent (BE), Arts Centre Vooruit, Ghent (BE), STUK, Leuven (BE), Subsistances, Lyon (FR), Wood Cube, Roeselare (BE), Workspacebrussels, Brussels (BE)
Through the Grapevine - Axel Guérin & Alexander Vantournhout © Bart Grietens
Residencies cancelled due to COVID-19: Arts Printing House, Vilnius (LT) Oerol, Ter Schelling (NL), Le Gymnase CDCN, Roubaix (FR), Grand Théâtre, Groningen (NL)
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 is cultural ambassador of the city of Roeselare and is also supported by Fondation BNP Paribas for the development of his projects.
🏆 Het TheaterFestival Belgium 2021
🏆 Het TheaterFestival Nederland 2021
🏆 Best International Dance - Premis de la Crítica Catalunya
“Through the Grapevine amazes by the virtuosity and ingenuity of its dance vocabulary.” — Springback Magazine