REUT SHEMESH רעות שמש

Choreography

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ULTRA

I Want to Be a Father Like My Father


*PREMIERE* 8.11.2023, STUK, Leuven

2023/ performance

A co-creation with the Belgian Theatre Production House fABULEUS

In ULTRA, ten youngsters let their explosive and vulnerable energy flow freely. Moving along a thin line between festivity and rebellion, ULTRA questions the role of typical masculine behaviour and group dynamics, while addressing the challenges and opportunities for youngsters growing up in a world of shifting norms. For this piece, Reut Shemesh drew inspiration from an encounter with German ‘Ultra’ football fans. Blending teenage joy and aggression, the piece unveils the vulnerability beneath their loud expressions. A moving portrait of a group of adolescents aged 15 to 21, in a world full of expectations and labels. Reut Shemesh joins together two fascinations: On the one hand, an interest in power and group dynamics, on the other hand, personal questions, regarding so-called masculinity, which she asks herself in particular as a mother of a growing son.

Credits

Concept & choreography: Reut Shemesh 
Creation & performance: Andreas Crommelinck, Jinte De Greef, Luna Fall, Emma Ghijs, Kyano Holbrechts, Karsten Janssens, Glory Ofori-Asamoah, Mathis Schellekens, Ridder Seghers & Fien Simons 
Assistant choreographer: Katja Pire 
Dramaturgy: Daniel Rademacher 
Stage, video & lighting design: Ronni Shendar 
Music: Simon Bauer 
Costumes: Joëlle Meerbergen 
Assistant costume designer: Femke Vanweddingen 
Cocreation: fABULEUS & Reut Shemesh Company 
Coproduction: tanzhaus nrw 

Funded by the “Bündnis internationaler Produktionshäuser”, Perpodium & STUK 

With the support of the City of Leuven, the Flemish Administration, the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia within the framework of the Spitzenförderung Tanz, the City of Cologne and the Kunststiftung NRW. 

Upcoming & Past Performances:

Press:

Reportage 100% Cultuur / Belgian TV

Press

“Mehr als Mega – ‘ULTRA’ ist das Ultimative. Nein: Over the top. So wie die Welt ist.(…) “ULTRA” feiert die Undurchschaubarkeit. Unerreichbarkeit.”

‘More than mega – “ULTRA” is the ultimate. No: Over the top. Just like the world is. (…)
‘ULTRA’ celebrates impenetrability. Unattainability.’ – Melanie Suchy, Magazin tanz

“De eeuwige tweestrijd van de moderne man is vastgelegd in dat alleszeggend beeld. Vanbinnen is iedereen verdeeld, maar net dat verbindt ons ULTRA hard.”

‘The eternal dichotomy of the modern man is captured in this all-important image. Inside, everyone is divided, but precisely that connects us ULTRA hard.’
– Jasmien van de Beek, VETO Magazine

“(…)‘ULTRA’ wel vaak te verwonderen en je te treffen door ongewone, intense details die vertellen dat er toch meer leeft in de hoofden van ultra’s dan we aannemen. Die details blijven wel bij. Net als deze stoere én kwetsbare spelers.”

‘(…) “ULTRA” often manages to amaze and strike you with unusual, intense details that tell you that there is more to the minds of ultras than we assumed. Those details will stay with you. Just like these tough and vulnerable players.’
– Pieter T’Jonck, pzazz

All Photos: Clara Hermans