The dancers will be your guides through a kaleidoscope of atmospheres, styles and relationships. As you sample what’s on offer, you can gradually decide what suites you best. And why? To discover where you stand. And to discover where those around you stand, literally and figuratively.

The expression, “where do you stand?” not only refers to one’s literal position, but also one’s conviction. A conviction has a lot to do with such concepts as inner values, personal judgments, and identity; but also with a feeling of security and comfort.

To be confirmed in these convictions gives us feelings we see as positive, but how far is one willing to take distance from one’s own set of values? With daring, humor, and a taste for adventure, Newcomb and his seven dancers create an extraordinary experience that will provoke you to take your own stand, or maybe another…

This is the conclusion of Writing on the Walls, the four-part piece that Dylan Newcomb has been working on since 2004. In the four parts of Writing on the Walls, Newcopmb explores the continuous confrontation with limits. Each part is based on the four elements: air, fire, earth, and water. The previous parts, Wish (2004), Flow (2004), and Burn (2006) left a profound impression on the audience.

Because the relation between dancer and spectator is so essential in this production, Newcomb began his creative process late November 2007 with a three-day workshop for dance-minded theatregoers. Together with dancers, students of various dance schools, and the workshop participants, Newcomb explored how spectators reacted to various situations, what provoked them – mentally and physically – and how a given context influenced the experience. In addition to this workshop, Newcomb invited the public to two showing during the creative process. Here, Newcomb and the dancers showed the material thus far developed; this was followed by a discussion with the audience in order to exchange experiences.

The press reacted with great enthusiasm:

Much praise for This, ‘…a ‘vortex’ of sensory magic, nutty and moving scenes, participating spectators, group dynamics, singing and dancing, from an alternative Swan Lake to disco dancing.’ (Ingrid van Frankenhuyzen, NRC Handeldblad, 27 February 2008).

‘The relationship between public and performer is not only tested in This, the relationship in honestly explored so that both parties leave the theatre changed.’ (29 February 2008, Den Haag Centraal, Ilse van Haastrecht).

Dylan Newcomb is curious after your opnion!
This is more than a dance performance: your personal experience is a central theme during the performance. Dylan Newcomb and his dancers are more than curious after your experiences. You can send all your ideas, experiences, opinions and critic to this2008@live.nl.


Click here to go to Dylan Newcomb's website.