Theater Netherland's Exuberant Performance in Berlin's Celebrations
In the heart of Berlin, the Deutsche Oper plays host to a thought-provoking dance trilogy titled "Figures in Extinction" by Nederlands Dans Theater and theater troupe Complicité. This powerful exploration of the age of disconnection and the complex relationship between humans and the natural world is set to captivate audiences from July 5th to 6th.
The trilogy, which can be translated as "Extinct Figures," presents a haunting and sobering reflection on extinction and survival through embodied movement. The dancers do not merely mimic extinct animals or archaic humans but embody these figures to symbolize the fragility and vulnerability of species threatened by environmental, social, and technological pressures.
Choreographer Crystal Pite and director Simon McBurney have created a wonderfully danced evening with a political message. The performance is described as delightful and great cinema, with the troupe depicting entire flocks of birds or fish, as well as breaking glaciers, moving smoothly and almost bonelessly.
In the first part of the trilogy, the dancers represent extinct birds such as the Yellow-throated Vireo and the movements of extinct animals like the Pyrenean Ibex. The second part features a distorted scientific lecture on the function of brain hemispheres, danced with mesmerizing precision. The third and final part addresses the topic of dying in a nursing home, prompting reflection on when a person is no longer a person.
Mysterious light streaks in the background are a characteristic feature of Pite's stage design, adding to the metaphorical layering of the performance. The symbolism of the dance trilogy portrays extinct species and human forms as living archives of meaning, prompting reflection on what is lost and what must be preserved as humanity grapples with existential threats and disconnection from nature.
The trilogy also raises big questions, such as whether the deceased are simply erased or if they live in us. A voice from the recording lets a climate change denier rant about the theft of personal freedom through many environmental protection laws, providing a stark contrast to the delicate and poignant dance performances.
With tickets ranging from 28-94 Euro, the 5th July performance at 7:30 PM is sold out, while tickets remain for the 6th July performances at 2 PM and 7:30 PM. Ticket information and purchase links can be found on the official website. The performance will take place at the Deutsche Oper, Bismarckstr. 35.
Don't miss this poetic and urgent meditation on extinction, survival, and the intertwining of organic and non-organic worlds in a time of ecological crisis. "Figures in Extinction" is more than just a dance performance—it's a call to action, a reminder of our shared responsibility to preserve and protect the delicate balance of life on Earth.
The performance, titled "Figures in Extinction," offers a thought-provoking exploration of extinction and survival through dance, embodying the fragility and vulnerability of threatened species. It serves not only as a profound dance trilogy but also as an urgent call to action, reminding us of our shared responsibility to preserve and safeguard the delicate balance of life on Earth.
