The Russian writer Daniil Charms (1905-1942) wrote absurdist, funny short stories during the bleak years of Stalin’s terror. One example: ‘There was a red-haired man who had no eyes or ears. Neither did he have any hair, so he was called red-haired theoretically.’ This kind of funny surrealism formed the starting point for choreographer Alexander Vantournhout’s group choreography Red Haired Men. The resulting show runs over with physical uneasiness and nonsensical movement.

On the cutting edge between dance, acrobatics, circus and theatre Red Haired Men creates a universe into which people appear and disappear, and where wonder and laughter are not without risk.

about the maker

After creating his solos Caprices (2014) and ANECKXANDER (2015) and the duet Raphaël (2017), Red Haired Men is Alexander Vantournhout’s first group choreography. In his work he goes in search of physical extremes, straddling the line between dance and circus. He studied both at dance academy P.A.R.T.S. and circus academy ESAC (Ecole Supérieure des Arts du Cirque) in Brussels. The combination of the two, the first with its focus on artistic reflection the second on physical excellence, make Alexander’s work the perfect link between circus and dance.