Closed Eyes

The show starts with film images: performer Dylan Kuyper runs across a market like a man possessed, jumps into a log canoe, and falls overboard. In a cloud of bubbles, his body floats underwater. Then the bubbling goes live: seven dancers run onto the stage, moving backwards, then accelerating forward again. They move in waves, sometimes in solos, sometimes as a group. The atmosphere is combative, only to quiet down later.

Dors sees Closed Eyes as the latest instalment in a series of dance chronicles, as she calls her performances. While her work was first mainly about empowerment, about protest and resistance, Closed Eyes is more spiritual in nature, although the activism is by no means missing.

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Dors herself is the spoken word artist who mesmerises the audience with her rhythmic flow of words. She takes the audience to Lake Brokopondo in Suriname, the place where her ancestors lived before the idyllic lake was transformed into a reservoir. Entire villages disappeared as they were flooded. She still seeks connection with her ancestors. Everyone stands on the shoulders of their ancestors and in turn lays the foundation for future generations.

In the compelling Closed Eyes, all elements work together: the ingenious video work (Bernie van Velzen), Niek Kortekaas' strong set design, and the pulsating music.

"In many ways, Closed Eyes is an interesting performance, hopeful in turbulent times. What seems to be a personal quest is also a call for greater solidarity." - Theaterkrant

choreography and concept Alida Dors
dance anai Bart, Fiona Dekkers, Dylan Kuyper, Liza Panjoel, Nathalie Bokongo Nkumu, Doris Bokongo Nkumu, Nicolas Trung Chanh Leroy
music Alvin Lewis, Patrick Mijnals, Jeremiah Owusu Ansah (HAYP)
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video Bernie van Velzen
set design Niek Kortekaas
lighting design Axel Dikkers
costume design Erik Bosman