The 16th international festival 4+4 Days in Motion will present (already for the 4th time) the original work by Norwegian choreographer, theatre diretor and playwright Jo Strømgren. The performance focusing on society of coffee drinkers will take place on 18. October from 19:30 at the Archa Theatre.
By far the funniest Scandinavian theater ensemble, Jo Strømgren Kompani will be making its fourth appearance at 4+4 Days in Motion, where its previous three shows received enthusiastic ovations. Last year's dance homage to the art of football as seen through ballet was a masterly combination of "low-brow" sports and the "high-brow" world of art. This year, the leader of Norway's independent scene arrives with an equally entertaining subject: coffee-drinking. The ensemble's members present a society of coffee connoisseurs as they gather for their favorite daily ritual, when suddenly their calm is interrupted by a horrible incident – one of the group's members finds a used tea bag! An extensive investigation is launched, which raises a number of important questions: Is there a traitor among us? Or is it a worldwide tea conspiracy?
The isolated conflict between drinkers of coffee and tea in a micro world is of course open for interpretation by audiences. JSK always tries to mirror the macro world by scrutinizing basic elements of contemporary phenomena. In our turbulent times the average citizen is, for example, ever more tempted to accept torture, the surpression of minorities, and other violent means in order to restore order and avoid a clash of civilizations.
These are potentially difficult themes, not only to discuss, but particularly to reflect in theatre. Much respect, cultural knowledge, and political insight is needed to provide credible standpoints in a international conflicts. But then again, one is also free to harass the seeds of such problems that are to be found universally.
Length: 65 min without interval Direction, script, choreography, set design: Jo Strømgren Original cast: Bartek Kaminski, John Fjelnseth Brungot, Trond Fausa Aurvåg Cast 2010: Trond Fausa Aurvåg, Hallvard Holmen, Stian Isaksen Sound design: Lars Årdal Lighting design: Stephen Rolfe Costumes, styling: Peter Löchstöer Props: Tina Peios Music: Charles Aznavour, Guo Song, Cai Dan Zhuo Ma, Hu Song Hua, The East is Red Choir, The Doors Photographer: Knut Bry Producer: Jo Strømgren Kompani General Manager: Ann-Christin Danhammer, Inger Margrethe Stoveland Project managers: Tine Rude, Solfrid Glesnes Norwegian co-producers: Norwegian National Theatre, Bergen International Festival, BIT Teatergarasjen Support: Arts Council Norway, City of Bergen Support on selected venues: The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
More at: http://jskompani.no
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