We, 28.2.2024

Th, 29.2.2024

Fr, 1.3.2024

Sa, 2.3.2024

20:30—22:30 Public

Schauspielhaus Zürich, Schiffbau-Halle

Trajal Harrell / Schauspielhaus Zürich Dance Ensemble

Monkey off My Back or the Cat’s Meow
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© Orpheas Emirzas / Bea Borgers

How can something arise from nothing? This philosophical question is the starting point of Trajal Harrell’s production «Monkey off my back or the Cat's Meow». Dancers and actors from the Schauspielhaus Zürich enter an unending catwalk, generating a fascinating collection of colourful characters who are continuously changing their clothes and transforming. In addition to repetitive and choreographically determined paths through the space, there are encounters, constellations and formations that appear random and unforeseen. Notions of something and nothing are thus made to strike a balance of equals. This makes «Monkey off my back or the Cat’s Meow» a fascinating piece, examining and invoking the potential and the powers of the body, between historical references and pop culture, between everyday gestures, social patterns and poses.

Biography

The American dancer and choreographer Trajal Harrell has been developing pieces for international dance companies and theatres, museums and arts venues for more than 20 years. Since 2019, he has directed a dance company at the Zurich Theatre, the Schauspielhaus Zürich Dance Ensemble. The special style of Trajal Harrell’s works results not only from the unusual combination of choreographic idioms which might seem remote from one another, such as voguing, post-modern dance and butoh, but also and especially from the fragility and humour that mark all his works.

schauspielhaus.ch/de/22894/trajal-harrell-schauspielhaus-zrich-dance-ensemble

Other productions available for touring

Tambourines (2024), The Romeo (2023), Deathbed (2022), The Köln Concert (2020)

Credits

Staging, Choreography, Stage Design, Costumes, Soundtrack Trajal Harrel

Performance New Kyd, Alicia Aumüller, Frances Chiaverini, Sultan Çoban, Adel Sze-Farragne, Trajal Harrell, Tabita Johannes, Thibault Lac, Nasheeka Nedsreal, Perle Palombe, Karin Pfammatter, Maximilian Reichert, Lena Schwarz, Stephen Thompson, Songhay Toldon, Jeremy Nedd, Thomas Wodianka

Rehearsal directors Ondrej Vidlar, Maria Ferreira Silva

Co-Soundtrack Asma Maroof

Co-Stage Erik Flatmo

Light design Stéfane Perraud

Dramaturgy Laura Paetau, Tobias Staab

Production Assistance Camille Roduit

Diffusion Art Happens, Björn Pätz

Touring International Relations, Productio Björn Pätz

Production Schauspielhaus Zürich

Website www.schauspielhaus.ch/de/22894/trajal-harrell-schauspielhaus-zrich-dance-ensemble

Venue

Schauspielhaus Zürich, Schiffbau-Halle
Schiffbaustrasse 4, 8005 Zürich
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Tickets

2.3.2024, 20:30—22:30
Schauspielhaus Zürich, Schiffbau-Halle