Greek mythology re-mastered through the universe of Ultima Vez: this is Infamous Offspring. In Wim Vandekeybus' latest creation, a whole new cast of actors and dancers ventures into the labyrinth of ancient tales. On stage as on screen, dance merge with the words of poet Fiona Benson to create a unique new world.
All ancient stories revolve around gods, as projections of the extreme experiences of the human life. Zeus and Hera are the nucleus of the Greek pantheon, surrounded by a very lush offspring. How do these descendants relate to their parents and to each other? All together, they form a patchwork family, where all members have their own strengths, ambitions and flaws. Jealousy, adultery, greed and many other aspects that belong to the human experience were infused and amplified in these unreachable characters, so that we could mirror ourselves.
The Greek world of gods is never-ending: universal tales retold throughout history branch far away and are still hold true to our society today. Many variants of these stories keep being alive at the same time, which is the very core of the mythological narrative.
Like in several of his previous pieces, Wim Vandekeybus develops the visual narration through several media: cinema coexists with stage performance, dance with spoken word. All these languages enhance and exalt each other for a unique and ever recognizable signature.
A memorable retelling of ancient myths, a world where the passions and chaos of the human soul run wild.
Text by: Fiona Benson
Special appearance: Israel Galván (Tiresias)
Music: Warren Ellis / Dirty Three, ILA
Dramaturgy: Margherita Scalise
Stage design: Wim Vandekeybus
Costume design: Isabelle Lhoas
Light design: Wim Vandekeybus, Benjamin Verbrugge
Sound design: Arthur Brouns
Film direction: Wim Vandekeybus
Cast: Iona Kewney, Maria Zhi Tortosa Soriano, Lotta Sandborgh, Cola Ho Lok Yee, Samuel Planas, Rakesh Sukesh, Paola Taddeo, Adrian Thömmes, Hakim Abdou Mlanao, Tijen Lawton Film cast: Lucy Black, Daniel Copeland, Thi-Mai Nguyen, Cola Ho Lok Yee, Iona Kewney, Paola Taddeo
Production: Ultima Vez
Co-producers: Teatro Comunale Di Ferrara, Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg, KVS
