Belgian choreographer and film director Wim Vandekeybus has yet again created a unique choreography, this time taking its starting point in that thing which control our lives: love. Vandekeybus says that love is by far the most abstract and capricious of all our emotions. It can move mountains, create both extreme highs and lows. It gives strength – but causes tremendous pain when it is no longer by your side.

In Speak low if you speak love… Vandekeybus wanted the force of the music on stage to be as irresistible as the force of love itself. To emphasize the intense love story unfolding on stage, music was essential. This is the reason why he’s once again chosen to work with Belgian guitarist Mauro Pawlowski, whose music is inspired by classical and mythological love stories. The music is performed live by Pawlowski and his band, in a unique collaboration with South African singer Tutu Puoane. Together they create music that goes straight into your heart.
Despite the fact that Speak low if you speak love… contain music it can neither be seen as an opera or as a musical, in the traditional sense of the word. Instead it’s a dramatic and moving combination of experimental and classical music. Speak low if you speak love… is essentially a mix of experimental music and classical storytelling. Combined, these two elements influence each other, creating a fascinating and captivating drama.

Ultima Vez is considered to be one of Europe’s foremost dance companies. Founded by Wim Vandekeybus in 1986, Ultima Vez has since developed into a broad international contemporary dance company, firmly based in Brussels and in Flanders.

Over the years, the company has developed its own scenic expression, where the meeting between characteristic Ultima Vez artists and classically schooled dancers has resulted in several physically challenging choreographies. Tension, conflict, impulse, passion, instinct and intuition are some of the key words in Vandekeybus’ work.

The last time Ultima Vez visited Sweden was for the 2000 Gothenburg Dance and Theater Festival, with the performance In Spite of Wishing and Wanting. This time we present their intense love story at Stora Teatern’s main stage.

Direction, choreography, scenography: Wim Vandekeybus.
On stage: Jamil Attar, Livia Balazova, Chloé Beillevaire, David Ledger, Tomislav English, Nuhacet Guerra Segura, Sandra Geco Mercky, Maria Kolegova.
Original Music (live): Mauro Pawlowski, Elko Blijweert, Jeroen Stevens, Tutu Puoane.
Dramaturgy: Greet Van Poeck Ljus: Davy Deschepper, Wim Vandekeybus.
Sound: Bram Moriau, Antoine Delagoutte.
Stage director: Tom de With.
Production: Ultima Vez (Brussels, BE).
Co-production: Foundation Mons 2015 European Capital of Culture, KVS (Brussels, BE), Le manège.mons (Mons, BE), Festival de Marseille (Marseille, FR).
With support from: desingel internationale Kunstcampus (Antwerp, BE).