Double bill
In this unique double billing, two generations of choreographers, William Forsythe and Ioannis Mandafounis, explore the power of improvisation. Dancers of the Dresden Frankfurt Dance Company offer a multifaceted take on dance as a living art form, rooted in the here and now.
Festival Julidans
rogramme section Julidans On Stage
Dutch premiere
Location Internationaal Theater Amsterdam
Venue Rabozaal
Run time nnb, incl. intermission
Language Language no problem
Forsythe / Mandafounis
The method of Ioannis Mandafounis, also known as ‘live choreography’, allow dancers to create their choreography on the spot. In his work Lisa, the dancers themselves choose when they enter or exit the stage, which leads to truly surprising twists and turns. A chance encounter between two dancers can suddenly turn into a group scene, or someone may be left alone for an emotional solo.
The dance piece combines these improvisations with poems by Osip Mandelstam, a Russian poet, essayist and critic of the Soviet government, who is considered to be one of the most eminent poets of the twentieth century. His work symbolizes the struggle for artistic and intellectual freedom in times of oppression. Historical costumes from the 1930s provide visual context for the texts, which are spoken in Russian, English and German. The audience can choose to follow the shorter and longer narratives – or not. Is this a crime scene, a romantic encounter or simply business as usual?
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For the second part of this double billing, William Forsythe returns to the place, where the roots of his impressive legacy lie to create a new work with the ensemble for the first time. Based on improvisation, he models in Undertainment a structure that does not mean anything in particular but offers pure aesthetic pleasure – like a kaleidoscope creating surprising patterns within a clearly perceptible framework. The audience is invited to experience this performance as one living, breathing whole.
William Forsythe is considered one of the most influential choreographers of the twentieth century. His work is hailed for transforming ballet from its focus on classical repertoire to a dynamic, contemporary art form.
More about Ioannis Mandafounis
Ioannis Mandafounis (Athens) studied at the Paris Conservatory and danced with renowned companies such as GöteborgsOperans Danskompani, Nederlands Dans Theater II, and The Forsythe Company. Since 2004, he has developed a rich choreographic career, working with international institutions like Lyon Opera Ballet, Grand Théâtre de Genève, and the Royal Danish Ballet. He was part of the Frankfurt-based collective mamaza and leads his own company in Switzerland.
Mandafounis has developed a choreographic method rooted in audience participation. His work is driven by a constant search for innovative ways to involve spectators, aiming to offer an authentic and profound experience of dance that brings people closer to the art form. In 2024, his piece À la carte was nominated for the German theater award DER FAUST.
More about William Forsythe
William Forsythe has been active in choreography for over 50 years. His work is acclaimed for reorienting ballet from its classical roots into a dynamic 21st-century art form. After dancing with the Joffrey and Stuttgart Ballets—where he became Resident Choreographer—he led Ballet Frankfurt for two decades, later founding The Forsythe Company. His vision extends beyond the stage to installations, films, and digital projects. Forsythe’s work features in leading ensembles and museums worldwide. He has received numerous lifetime achievement awards, including the Golden Lion of the Venice Biennale, the FAUST Award, and the Kyoto Prize.
ABOUT JULIDANS
From July 2-13, Julidans Amsterdam puts the spotlight on international contemporary dance. Choreographers from home and abroad present work in various theaters, on the streets and in the park, with Internationaal Theater Amsterdam as the beating festival heart. Julidans is the festival that inspires both connoisseurs and curious minds. The program is full of unique dance makers - from established icons to provocateurs, from legends to groundbreakers.
Credits
Undertainment
Choreography William Forsythe
Dance Dresden Frankfurt Dance Company
Assistent Choreography Cyril Baldy
Rehearsal Director Pauline Huguet
Light Tanja Rühl
Costume Dorothee Merg
In Coproduction with DE SINGEL – International Arts Centre and the Romaeuropa Festival.
With support of Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels.
-|-Lisa
Choreography Ioannis Mandafounis
Dance Dresden Frankfurt Dance Company
Costume Dorothee Merg
Piano Gabriele Carcano
Dramaturgy Philipp Scholtysik
Assistent Choreography Pauline Huguet
This performance is supported by NPN Funding