Ritmo/Violento

Lisbon, Portugal (Gulbenkian) – 10.12.2023

Based on Ritmo Violento [Violent Rhythm] (1961), by Norman Dixon for the Experimental Ballet Group
“In all big cities, unfortunate incidents have occurred due to the problem of racial segregation. This dance, in four scenes, takes place in a populous area of one such city. A young woman falls in love with a black man which causes an old boyfriend to react with jealousy. The «Teddy-boy» friends of the latter confront the young black man and during the fight that follows, tragedy befalls the group of teenagers. All of the characters have intrinsic value and are treated individually.” — Norman Dixon’s introduction to Ritmo Violento in the Experimental Ballet Group’s programme from 1961
As part of the dance not dance programme, André Cabral takes on the challenge of reimagining a performance by Norman Dixon in collaboration with the final-year dance students at the Portuguese Higher School of Dance (ESD). Between the two presentations, there is a talk with the artist and the students, moderated by Daniel Tércio.

Choreography: André Cabral
Performance: Sasha Demina, Carolina Vouga, Pedro Silva, Kata Sara Kiss, Denise Almeida, Daniel Pirata, Rodrigo Pereira, Matilde Ferreira, Ariana Mira.
Commission and production: dance not dance / Calouste Gulbenkian
Institutional collaboration: Portuguese Higher School of Dance (ESD)
Based on Ritmo Violento (1961) Choreography: Norman Dixon