Go back RE RĪGA!: THERE THERE COMPANY “HUGS & HANDSHAKES”
First, a hand. Then another. A shoulder. A glance. An embrace. From these small gestures, five acrobats build a choreography of everyday touches that usually disappear within seconds. Here, step by step, they grow into breathtaking acrobatic movement.
The artists lift, turn and support one another, gradually drawing the audience into the action. Who wants a hug, and who would rather have a handshake? The boundary between stage and audience slowly begins to blur, and being together becomes the driving force of the performance.
“Hugs & Handshakes” is a warm and playful performance about the body as a form of conversation and about a greeting that suddenly becomes an event.
There There Company is a contemporary circus company led by Toon Van Gramberen and Hanna Mampuys. The company creates strong and meaningful circus that is raw, honest and authentic, focusing on the performer and the message rather than on the display of individual tricks.
Using hand-to-hand acrobatics as the foundation of their physical language, the artists place the interaction between human bodies at the centre of their work.
Authors: Hanna Mampuys, Toon Van Gramberen
Performers: Hanna Mampuys, Xanthe Van der Jeught, Willem Rys, Helena Sirugue, Théo Corre, Litte Van Horebeek
Dramaturge: Marie Peeters
Outside eye: Nikita Maheshwary, Piet Van Dycke, Joren De Cooman
Music: Jonas Vandenbossche
Technical support: Mikaël Gac
When: 14 August at 17.00 and 15 August at 14.00
Where: Vērmane Garden, Riga
Duration: 45 minutes
Recommended age: all ages
Admission: free of charge
A discussion with the artists will take place after each performance
Would you like to become a small but essential part of the performance?
There There Company invites you to take part in a physical, playful and inclusive workshop, where participants will explore simple dance-like movements and the basics of partner acrobatics, or what the artists call “acrobatic encounters”.
14 August, 11.00–13.30
Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music, Sports Hall, Krišjāņa Barona iela 1, Riga
Working language: English; Latvian translation may be provided if necessary
The workshop will be led by Hanna Mampuys, Xanthe Van der Jeught, Willem Rys, Helena Sirugue and Théo Corre from Belgium.
The workshop is open to everyone aged 16 and over. No previous experience or special physical training is required. Each participant’s abilities, boundaries and previous experience will be respected.
Free of charge, with prior registration
Performance accessible to:
– wheelchair users;
– deaf audiences, as no spoken text is used in the performance.
By attending this event, you agree that, for publicity purposes:
– you may be photographed and filmed;
– your image may be used in television and online broadcasts, films, photographs, audiovisual recordings and other media publications.
The performance at the RE RIGA! festival is supported by:
