‘SYNTHETIC/Artefact’ by Tiran Willemse

Dear visitors to Gessnerallee, dear artists

‘For me, fun is a key driving force. At the same time, I attach great importance to technical quality.’

With a smile, Zurich-based South African choreographer and dancer Tiran Willemse describes his love of perfection. His precise choreographic work and his immense sensitivity in manipulating space have brought him great success in recent years. Willemse is regarded as one of the rising stars of the contemporary dance scene, and his works tour internationally.

To mark the start of the Gessnerallee season, he will present ‘SYNTHETIC/Artefact’ on 10, 11, 14 and 15 September, his first group choreography, sharing the stage with the brilliant performers Davide-Christelle Sanvee, Élie Autin, Ophelia Young and Elizabeth Mulenga. Book your tickets now. Or better still, get a Gessnerallee annual pass straight away.

Willemse has a background in ballet and he trained at P.A.R.T.S – School for Contemporary Dance in Brussels. On the recommendation of his friends, the local artists Annina Machaz and Nils Amadeus Lange, he completed a Master’s degree in Experimental Theatre at the HKB in Bern. Willemse found a flat in Zurich and moved to Switzerland. In Zurich, more than anywhere else, he feels the freedom to work in an experimental and humorous way. He has collaborated with artists including Trajal Harrell, Jérôme Bel, Ligia Lewis, Wu Tsang (Moved by the Motion), Deborah Hay, Eszter Salamon, Meg Stuart and Andros Zins-Browne. Two of his works have already been staged at Gessnerallee. You can find out more about Tiran Willemse’s work in a recently published profile in ‘Mousse Magazine’.

Programme

‘SYNTHETIC / Artefact’ – Tiran Willemse

10, 11, 14, 15 September

A choreographic work exploring the figure of the puppet in the history of European ballet and theatre, as well as in African and Asian dance forms. Featuring Davide-Christelle Sanvee, Élie Autin, Ophelia Young and Elisabeth Mulenga. Tickets

‘From Design to Solidarity’ – artasfoundation

16 September

Artistic work in crisis-hit regions presents particular challenges. In this series of talks, a variety of people from the worlds of art and culture share their experiences. Admission to the event is free.

‘YOU CANNOT CAN’ by Dana Michel

19–20 September

A humorous adventure unfolds around and in the swimming pool at the Altstetten indoor swimming pool, exploring the importance of swimming for self-confidence and overcoming fears. Tickets

Children’s concert with Gina Été

20 September

Hybrid chamber pop and political awareness. The popular children’s concert series presents exciting musicians and bands for young and old alike. Tickets

Newspaper

The military, the motorway and independent theatre – the history of Gessnerallee

Journalist and photographer Julien Felber embarks on a historical journey through the more than 150-year history of Gessnerallee. From cavalry horses and barracks life, through youth movements and motorway plans, to independent theatre. He is accompanied by Alice Bamberger, a shopkeeper and contemporary witness, whose personal memories weave the history of the building together with that of the city. Read the article (only in German)

The Gessnerallee newspaper is entering its third year. Now is the best time to take out a subscription for the next four issues. It costs CHF 20 excluding postage and can be easily ordered by emailing zeitung@gessnerallee.ch. The next issue will be published on 10 September, just in time for the start of the season.

Furthermore

The Zürcher Theater Spektakel continues until the end of the week with a host of exciting performances. We’ve managed to get hold of tickets for Thursday’s performances of ‘The Vertiginous Story of Orthosia’ by Joana Hadjithomas & Khalil Joreige and ‘Corazón Rudo’ by Diana Rojas. Perhaps you’d like to pop along too.

Last but not least, now is also a good time to become a member of the Theaterhaus Gessnerallee association. Are you interested in becoming a member? If so, we’d be delighted to hear from you – please email our colleague Shelagh Armit at: info@gessnerallee.ch.

We wish you a great second half of the week.

The Gessnerallee team