“Imbalance, the contradictory nature of Dionysus” is a contemporary-dance piece, which is concerned with the contradiction between the human longing for control and the wish to be free of it – what seems to be a paradox. Inspired by Dionysus, the antique Greek god of wine, the choreography combines poetic images with a highly virtuosic and versatile dance-technique.

According to Greek mythology, Dionysus was not only the god of wine and excess. He is also seen in connection with fertility, productivity and creative-power as well as total dedication, the origin of theatre and self abandonment and ecstasy. However he mainly stands for the balance between the rational and the irrational – for both control and chaos. In the myth he tries to communicate and convince people that they should recognize their “darker-selfs” in order to be able to accept them.

The excessive can set free unbelievable and previously unknown creative power but also be destructive and lead one into a disaster. We all embody and carry this contradiction in ourselves. We long for happiness, peace, beauty and immortality. People have created countless great works of art. At the same time, we are able to perpetrate the worst crimes and sins and have the power to destroy whole worlds. We are rational but also totally irrational. This paradox is reflected in the movements and scenes in this two-part dance-performance, which sets and confronts powerful and dynamic movements in direct contrast with slow and dream-like passages without any interruption. The highly charged and energetic choreography concentrates on expressive movements, creates contrasts and movements which give the impression that they are out of balance. The dancers set a tension and an energy free, which constantly changes and expresses the paradoxical and dualistic world of Dionysus.