An evocative and life-affirming dance performance that explores the dynamics of the group and the importance of play
In PLAYGROUND, group dynamics and the individual’s role in meeting others are explored. The performance alludes to the important importance of play in all aspects of life. In harmony with captivating moments, the joy of movement and changing everyday objects, we break fixed patterns and invite new encounters, new opportunities.
PLAYGROUND is made in collaboration with the Cuban dance company Danza Teatro Retazos in Cuba and we have deepened the production’s themes in the countries’ very different starting points but with play as a common platform. A large part of the work’s development has taken place through interactive workshops with various associations/groups and individuals in various locations in Scania and the equivalent in Cuba. The purpose of these is to create a safe environment where we can explore together how our behavior changes depending on different constellations and situations in which we find ourselves.
The production is a co-production and part of Dans i Nord’s regional tour Moving Norrbotten, which will visit all 14 municipalities of Norrbotten after the premiere. PLAYGROUND will also tour during the fall of 2024 in collaboration with Malmö Kulturell Allemansrätt, Dansstationen, Ängelholms Riksteaterförening, Ystad kulturgaranti, SEGNI New Generations festival in Italy and Danza Xixón in Spain
Supported by: Barbro Osher Foundation, Swedish Arts Council, Malmö stad and Region Skåne
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Playground WhatsApp series –
CREATIVE WORKPROCESS DURING THE PANDEMIC
In the spring and summer of 2021, Memory Wax and the Cuban dance company Danza Teatro Retazos started a WhatsApp group. As we could not meet due to the pandemic, we wanted to find new ways so that we could continue working on the performance PLAYGROUND at a distance. The dancers in Cuba receive various exercises and instructions from Sweden. The exercises focus on the interaction between everyday places and objects, to create, find and express connections with as simple means as possible.
See samples of the process here: