When dance performances move out into nature, it is essential that the landscape becomes a central actor. This year’s edition of “Oslofjorden danser” had its premiere at the end of the Færderbiennale under somewhat unusual conditions: There was a gale. In the just over an hour long performance, the audience wandered through Færder National Park and got to see the art of dance meet the sea that turned white. The six performers from Panta Rei Danseteater really got to test themselves against the forces of nature this time. STRONG: A strong solo by Katja Weber (choreographed by Ina Christel Johannesen) thematized among other things belonging and identity. The scenography included a number of large bags filled with clothes. Photo: Neil Nisbet Outdoors, dancers and choreographers have to work with or against their surroundings, and – for example when it’s windy – let the wind become a partner. Maybe you have to let something go. For example, text that no one hears in the wind, or they have to use their time in another way. The six dance solos that were shown along the walk dealt with this in quite different ways. Playing with the wind Those who allowed themselves to be challenged by (or were challenged by) nature were the solos that were most successful that day. While others gave the impression of unfulfilled potential. The six soloists are from Panta Rei’s talent development programme. Shelmith Øseth in the solo “Horse in flames”, choreographed by Pia Holden and Anne Holck Eknes. She unwrapped herself from the orange piece of cloth and let the audience take over. Photo: Neil Nisbet Each of them has collaborated with a professional choreographer in the development of the numbers in “Oslofjorden danser”. In addition, they collaborate with children from local dance schools, and here it is the talents themselves who create the choreography together with the children. In Færder, there were young dancers from the dance school Extend in Tønsberg who took part in the wind, and here the choreography worked well with the nature. This is how a simple and clean-cut choreography became spectacular. The youngest children showed a choreography based on Grieg’s “Morgenstemning” which brought out a childish humor potential in the well-known piece of music. IN THE ELEMENTS: Tormod Tora Skår Midtbø at the far end of the sea gap in the solo “Disunity”. Photo: Neil Nisbet Students from the Extend dance school in Tønsberg gave their all in a cheerful and glitter-filled encounter with Grieg’s famous “Morgenstemning”. Photo: NEIL NISBET Pupils from the dance school Extend in Tønsberg in a finely choreographed dance on Svaberg. Photo: Neil Nisbet Challenging nature But the scenes that stuck the most were those where the dancer had strong encounters with nature. Like when Carl Aquilizan challenged the wind with a black, long piece of cloth that he had to hold on to during the throws, and used the time to let the wind take hold in the solo “Quiet Refusal”. Or when Anders Engebretsen, in a humorous and absurd solo on a cannon position, disappears out of sight with a red flare in his hand and the wind takes hold of “Fyr”. Or when Tormod Tora Skår Midtbø uses his powerful voice to almost challenge nature out in the sea gap in the solo “Disunity”. SPECTACULAR SIGHT: Dancer Carl Aquilizan challenged the gale at Færder. Photo: Neil Nisbet Out in nature, the use of voice and recorded music from loudspeakers became important components in several of the solos. In what are initially quite pure expressions: a dancer, a bit of costume or scenography, as well as wild nature, the short solos can be perceived as overloaded. Especially when the audience is also to take in a textual message the dancer performs or listens to a music track. Here there is a refinement potential in several of the solos. That being said: Someone got full credit in the wind at Færder. But when the show moves on to Drammen, Oslo, Asker and Halden, new surroundings can redeem other aspects of the show. Using nature to experience art is, in any case, a small stroke of genius. May the doorstep not become an obstacle to the dancers’ journey along the fjord. news reviews: Title: “Oslofjorden danser 2024” – A walking performance along the Oslofjord Co-creating dancers and choreographers: Anders Engebretsen Kristin Ryg Helgebostad Emma Jansen Roza Moshtaghi Katja Weber Ina Christel Johannesen Carl Aquilizan Joshua Serafin Tormod Tora Skår Midtbø Jule Flierl Shelmith Øseth Pia Holden Anne Ekenes Children from local dance schools Production: Producer, idea and concept: Panta Rei Danseteater Sound and technique: Peter Albers Collaborators/co-producers: Færderbiennalen, Dansens hus Premiere: Moutmarka, Færder national park 10 August 2024 in collaboration with Færderbiennalen. Last performance: 1 September. Also played at Drammen’s museum, Dansens hus (Oslo), Asker (Sundbysand farm) and in Halden. Hi! I review theatre, performing arts and dance for news as a freelancer. Also read my reviews of “Det mørke fortet” by Riksteatret, “Vildanden” by the National Ballet in the Opera, or “Moby Dick” by Det Norske Teatret. Published 12.08.2024, at 15.18
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“Oslofjorden danser 2024” by Panta Rei Danseteater – news Culture and entertainment
