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Note: No longer in repertoire!
Unpretentious dance theatre, stories from real life and age-old songs about love. Who likes whom?
Dancers Jenni-Elina Lehto/Sofia Hilli, Heidi Naakka, Eero Vesterinen, Mikko Paloniemi, Kai Lähdesmäki
Choreography and direction Ari Numminen
Set and costumes Elina Kolehmainen
Lighting design Vesa Ellilä
Sound Design Tuomas Fränti
Rehearsal of songs Soila Sariola
“… this performance is easy to enjoy, it incorporates versatile dancing and is skilfully carried out. It is an excellent introduction to the world of contemporary dance”
Read moreLove has many uses Helsinki Dance Company and Ari Numminen did not freeze their heads when the theme and title of the new work were chosen to be Love. On the one hand, this topic has been discussed to the point of boredom in both art and entertainment, on the other hand, there is always something new on the subject, if not elsewhere, then in the way it is implemented.With five dancers, the performance sings and dances love, tells love stories, has fun and even gets a little gloomy. The pace gets pulling at times, sometimes on a wide and slow path. Sometimes they dance courtship dancing like capercaillies or horses, sometimes they surrender to an oriental-tuned hip swing.There is no need to present anything deeper or deeper about love, because it tells itself.However, Numminen and HDC weave an approach to their treatment of love that appeals to young people in particular. The performance is a precise implementation for young viewers. Its language and love stories have been designed with young people in mind and ears. Love is a performance that is intended to be recycled in schools and educational institutions. The nature of the touring performance can be seen in the external framework of the performance and, in a nice sense, in the lack of finishing. During the performance, there are no gimmicks with lighting, but more so with changing costumes. Easy-to-carry boxes and a small platform on wheels are used as sets.The performers, Jenni-Elina Lehto, Kai Lähdesmäki, Heidi Naakka, Mikko Paloniemi and Eero Vesterinen , get to transform into many characters dressed in many ways during the party, which lasts less than an hour. They sing a cappella, dance together and alone.Lehto, in particular, gives great performances as a teenager who speaks some incomprehensible flap and as an entertainer dressed in a gorilla mask. Lehto brings out a hilarious comedy of herself. Vesterinen’s movement is magical as always.
Read moreOh love! A triangle drama with hoof flamenco, a young love story performed with exercise balls… Helsinki Dance Company’s latest dance piece is an exhilarating package. That’s what it’s all about, love is love, sang Dave Lindholm in the 1980s. Now, in 2013, Helsinki Dance Company, under the direction and choreography of Ari Numminen , tackles the main content of most songs, the basic force of life called Love. And with what joy, respect, mischievous wink of the eye! The result is a dance performance by three men and two women that delights, entertains and amuses, often to the point of laughter.Above all, Love delights with its technical skill and unabashed emotionality, which appeals to people of all ages.It’s a shame that the work was only performed four times at the Helsinki City Theatre. However, it will go on tour around Finland if and when there is interest.Yes, it would be worth finding, I say.
Read more“The Helsinki Dance Company’s newest dance performance is an exciting package.”
Read more“We are used to seeing the City Theatre’s dance group bend in all directions. They do so again in Love. Numminen makes the outstanding performers speak and sing in parts, in addition to dancing. And they do so brilliantly.”
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