Dance To Dance To

DTDT1 DTDT3

Inspired by Mexican choreographer Esmeralda Vasquez, the Norwegian choreographer and
dancer Ludvig Daae has created a dance performance which questions the terms “innovation”
and “high culture”. With the help of three dancers he transforms Vasquez’ classic piece
Dance To Dance To into a contemporary dance performance, as relevant today as when it
premiered in 1783.
Daae wanted to challenge some of the conventions and compositional tools he has been
taught and that are often found in staged dance. By diving into social dancing in general
and 1970’s disco dance in particular, his personal ideas concerning dramaturgy,
virtuosity, use of the room, development, contrast and relations on stage as well as to
the audience were thrown out the window. He was tired of his own taste and understanding
of things, which led him to do a remake of an already existing dance piece. Having
Esmeralda Vasquez’ original piece to constantly bounce off of and relate to was
challenging and sometimes even scary, but also comforting and fun. But above all, this
work is a dance piece about experiencing dancing.
Based on “Dance To Dance To”, Ludvig was asked to choreograph a piece for Cullberg
Ballet at the Nobel Prize Banquet in Stockholm. On the 10th of December 2017 nine dancers
from the company performed a modified version of “Dance To Dance To” in Stockholm City
Hall, accompanied by symphony orchestra Musica Vitae.

Concept, choreography and direction: Ludvig Daae
Dance and choreography: Viktoria Andersson, Marcus Baldemar and Ulrika Berg
Producer: Sara Bergsmark
Scenography and light design: Daniel Åkerström-Steen
Costumes: Tove Berglund
Composer: William Rickman
Financial support: Arts Council Norway, Swedish Arts Council and City of Stockholm.
Residency at MDT Stockholm and O Espaço do Tempo, Portugal.
Photo by Joanna Nordahl