Berlin ballet to stage lockdown choreographies

By Javier Alonso

Berlin, Sep 25 (efe-epa).- Members of Berlin’s Staatsballett made the most of lockdown to create choregraphies that are set to premier on stage in front of a live audience, all the while maintaining a social distance, not just with spectators, but also between dancers.

The first production of the season at the Berlin Staatsballett has been dubbed Lab_Works Covid_19.

Christiane Theobald, director of Staatsballett, said the performances examined the experience of isolation in lockdown through dance.

The routines range from solo pieces, duos and culminate with an interpretation of Parliament by Johnny McMillan to close the hypnotic show, which runs to the end of October.

Just as varied is the score accompanying the evening, which alternates from classical pieces by Franz Schubert to modern music by the likes of Radiohead, Frank Ocean and Pink Floyd.

Dancers explore topics such as the need to be close to others, friendship and futuristic notions of the world with the virus.

“Everything began at home when we were unable to work in the studio,” Cuban dancer Tolanda Correa, who performs Du Bist Die Ruh (“You are the calm,” in English), tells Efe.

“Later, when it was possible, we rented a small studio in Berlin and we began to work.”

“It’s a modern solo,” she says of her routine.