All that I left behind is here
Imagine a photograph of a family of four. At the beginning of the 90s, on one of the first days of spring. They are standing next to each other on the soon-to-be greener banks of the Oder River, looking into the camera. They all wear identical-looking, brand-new windbreakers in colours that blend into the landscape of a dirty city spring – grey for the father, purple for the mother, red-blue and grey-brown for the sons. All seem happy except for the youngest son – his sullen face clearly expresses embarrassment and disappointment, as if he would rather be somewhere else.
Romuald Krężel’s new solo draws on his personal and artistic experience. By returning to his very first dance experience – a ballroom dance class, the only one offered for free in his primary school – he aims to focus on different aspects of classism in the context of the performing arts. By relearning and critically reflecting on movements, steps, poses and different styles of cha-cha, rumba, jive, etc., he seeks to examine his social background and how it relates to his current choreographic practice. The ghostly figures, post-punk music and aesthetics support him in this return to his past.
Concept, Choreography, and Performance: Romuald Krężel, Dramaturgy: Agata Siniarska, Research support: Tamara Antonijević, Costume design: Maldoror, Technical direction, lighting: Patrick Faurot, Sound design and musical direction: Miguel Caldas, Sound design assistance: Zach Hart, Artistic assistance: Louis Felipe Baca Velásquez, Press work: Kerstin Böttcher, Audio description: Emmilou Rössling, Silja Korn, Production management: Anna Konrad, Artistic support: Carolina Mendonça and René Alejandro Huari Mateus