Martin Forsberg:
“Prefecture”
September 5, 2017
A few days ago, I got the press release on Corpus new production, Swedish choreographer Martin Forsberg’s Prefecture. The release was rather short on the ballet, but made much out of two other changes. Corpus now has their own entrance and they have a lounge with a bar.
Corpus was formed as an in-house company in 2012 to give the RDB dancers an opportunity to try new formats and create their own performances. Corpus, under the helmet of RDB dancers Esther Wilkinson and Tim Matiakis had presented a very wide repertoire, including the smash hit “I Føling” based on Danish war veterans. In this week a law is passed that gives the PTSD suffering war veterans a better treatment and support. More than anything it was "I Føling" that really brought the issue to attention.
However, over the years, Corpus has developed into a more niche-oriented direction, and instead of in-house choreographers have cooperated with outside choreographers and artists from other fields. The strategy has resulted in some rather obscure ballets and in outstanding works by strong choreographers like Jo Strømgren.
Last season, it was decided that Corpus should have its own set of dancers. The plan was that the company should employ six dancers; three from outside and three from the mother company. However, only soloist Alexander Stæger chose to transfer to Corpus and five dancers from outside were hired. There was also a change on management level. Tim Matiakis is now alone at the helm, while Esther Wilkinson is back in the mother company.
In short, Corpus has gained autonomy. However, the bond to the mother company - and the ability to make big productions - has in all likeliness disappeared.
Nikolaj Hübbe staged in a press release that he expects that Corpus will develop new formats and a new view on dance.
Based on “Prefecture” the first production in the new setup, I am not certain that he will gets his wish fulfilled.
Forsberg is known as an inventive choreographer, recently awarded the Birgit Cullberg Award in his home country Sweden. Nevertheless, “Prefecture” came out at best as a middle of the road contemporary ballet. Five dancers in boots and black training gear moved around in a darkened room, to a sound tapestry with sirens and gross lighting. Four large pieces of white plastic was hurled around the room sometime covering part of the audience. We also reached a point where the dancers stepped out of the black training gear and changed on stage to golden outfits. I saw very few choreographic highlights. I saw nothing I have not seen before. Neither could not I get a feeling of each dancer´s strong points.
A few days earlier, I was to a Pop Up in the same room, created by RDB dancers Beila Ungar and Samuel Rees. We are not supposed to review Pop Ups, and I will not do that here. However, what I can say is that I will follow several of the dancers from the Pop Up with great interest, especially American dancer Eleonora Morris.
A Larger Field
Corpus may see a niche for themselves. However, contrary to common belief, there is a strong contemporary dance environment in Denmark. Martin Forsberg has also his own group “Fors WORKS” in Copenhagen.
Looking at the Royal Theatre, the RDB is supplementing the classical repertoire with works and creations by leading international choreographers like Akram Khan, Wayne McGregor, Jiri Kylian, Alexander Ekman, Leon & Lightfoot, Kim Brandstrup, and Christopher Wheeldon. In addition, dancers Oliver Starpov and Gregory Dean are creating new ballets as is Nikolaj Hübbe himself.
The Royal Theatre is also home for Danish Dance Theatre, led by former RDB Dancer Tim Rushton. DDT is renting Takkeloftet, a smaller scene in the Opera Building. Former RDB dancer Sebastian Kloborg is house, choreographer at DDT.
Moreover, there is several other contemporary dance companies in Copenhagen and in other parts of Denmark. They may not have the security that the RDB Company including Corpus enjoy. However, they still keep fighting.
I do not want to judge the new Corpus on the one production. It is not a new door with a neon sign, nor a smart lounge or bar that will create the success. That can only be measured by the performance.
Photes by Malin Arnesson, Copyright(c) Corpus
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