Review: Softandhard

An evening of hard and soft tones

Slovak dancer-choreographer Anton Lachky’s Softandhard is a multifaceted dance performance. The work, which plays with contrasts and physicality, brings out both animals and people.
Created together by Lachky, Eléonore Valère-Lachky, and the dancers, the work brings a lot of animalistic energy to the stage. Among other things, the horses’ way of moving and just being plays a major role.

The dancers’ movement is based on the minimalist music composed by Simon Thiérrée for the work. The rhythmic nature of the music and its own kind of simplicity give the viewer the opportunity to enjoy a comprehensive performance.

The beginning of Softandhard is very frantic, rhythmic, even furiously tearing. After the halfway point, the movement becomes softer and playful. The dancers don’t get away with it, but they do their job well. Especially the physical and expressive way of movement of Inka Tiitinen and Jenni-Elina Lehto delights the viewers.

The communal nature of the movements and the mutual strength of the group are well highlighted in scenes where all the dancers are on stage at the same time.

A particularly strong reaction in the audience is caused by the intense and fast-paced imitation play of Tiitinen, Lehto, Soile Voima and Nikoleta Rafaelísova .


Kai Lähdesmäki and Valtteri Raekallio are a bit overshadowed by the women, even though they also have quite good performances.

It’s no wonder that Mikki Kunttu is one of the most sought-after lighting designers in Europe today. His lighting design creates a great atmosphere on stage. The lights that move to the rhythm of the music are both soft and raw.

The theme, softness and hardness of the entire work shine nicely as a red thread throughout the performance.