Identity is an almost unavoidable catchword these days. Identity is often used in public discussions to define a culture, city or a section of the population. In this discourse, identity often refers to the common denominator, the unifying characteristic, as a given fact that applies to an entire group.

Meyer & Chaffaud approach the concept of identity from a different perspective; they see identity as a personal, living entity that develops and changes through the influence of given situations or one’s surroundings. They draw inspiration from dadaism and surrealism and approach their theme with energy, humour, poetry and a touch of criticism here and there.

Again, Meyer & Chaffaud combine their passion for physical dance with their choreographic qualities and their fascination for the human body. They also, however, attempt to explore new directions in their new choreography. Together with an impressive cast, which possesses an enormous dance power, they invite new challenges, for instance in the use of text and the human voice.

The Swiss Jérôme Meyer and Isabelle Chaffaud from France shared a large part of their dance career with subsequent engagements with the Ballet du Grand theatre de Genève, de Batsheva Dance Company and the Nederlands Danstheater I. Two years ago, they made quite an impression with the Korzo production Corps à Corps that convincingly showed how personal and emotional dance can be in this day and age. Their originality and sheer delight in movement was already apparent in Meyer’s Compass for Fools from 2004, the piece that won dancer Chaffaud a nomination for the VSCD Swan prize.

Click here to view a webclip of Meyer en Chaffaud's last production Corps a Corps.

www.meyerchaffaud.com