The carousel spins a motley crowd, loneliness rattles in the stroller. The hems of the circus tent flutter with longing as the dancer twirls high on her rope. The clown’s tear disappears in the bite of the manes, and soon laughter breaks out. The excitement is building: what will come out of the magician’s hat today? Will a miracle happen? Do people meet or pass each other? The chambers of the heart beat and a song echoes from the soul. Love rides a rocking horse. Filling lifts to heights, without a safety net. Right here today, and long overdue, it’s time to celebrate. Time to live!
The Carousel of Yearning takes us to the past world but tells about this time. The story and emotions are conveyed through speech, song and dance. The texts of the performance have been collected from many sources, from documentaries to art, and the songs will be both familiar and new compositions. The sharp grip turns to gentle joy. Imperfection is human and even if you stumble you can move forward. Teardrops reflect a beautiful world, love is real.
Script and director: Anssi Valtonen
Choreographer: Sonja Pakalén
Scene designing: Merja Levo and Anssi Valtonen
Costume designing: Merja Levo
Music: Ville Ojanen
On stage: actors of Jyväskylä City Theatre Jorma Böök, Jouni Innilä, Anneli
Karppinen, Joni Leponiemi, Maritta Viitamäki; dancers of Dance Company
Off/Balance Teija Häryrynen, Terhi Kuokkanen, Ulla Väätäinen; music artist Ville
Ojanen
Premiere: 8.11.2012, Jyväskylä City Theatre, Finland
Co-production with Jyväskylä City Theatre
Jyväskylä City Theatre, Carousel of Yearning
The production of the piece has been supported by: The State Art Commission, Central Finland’s Art Commission, Central Finland Dance Center and the City of Jyväskylä
Photos: Jaakko Manninen
See trailer from YouTube
