Five men and a female soprano deliver an explosive mix of dance, acrobatics and classical song. In ALPHA – the new wilderness choreographer Pia Meuthen places the body language of executives under the microscope. Sharply observant but with satirical relief, the show exposes the insatiable hunger for power.

Every choice in the piece is thoughtfully made. Full of great dance, humour and brilliant live music.

Brabants Dagblad

Hunt for power

Since the beginning of the financial crisis, it is clear how much influence the behaviour of bankers, managers and directors has on our daily lives. In ALPHA – the new wilderness Pia Meuthen examines the conduct within the ‘old boys network’ and draws sharp parallels with the ape population. She portrays, without moralizing, how thin the layer of civilization can sometimes be. ALPHA – the new wilderness makes a direct link to our current state of affairs.

Border between humans and animals

Three dancers and two Chinese pole acrobats whirl across the stage, climb, slide, balance on poles and on each other. The boundary between human and animal is blurred. Are we watching a heated discussion between senior managers or a group of quarrelling monkeys? And what is actually hiding behind the irresistible desire for power?

Pia Meuthen and her artistic team were inspired by the background of the most recent financial crisis, analysis of the behaviour of managerial men and the work of the world famous primatologist Frans de Waal. The composers duo Strijbos & Van Rijswijk wrote a new composition specifically for the performance sung live by soprano Linde Schinkel.

The difference in expression between the acrobats and the dancers functions as a great instrument; both own an immense amount of physical power but as opposed to the flow of the dancers, the acrobats add a very exciting rough note.

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