Red Haired Men

Alexander Vantournhout, who was born in 1989, studied acrobatics and juggling 
at ESAC (École Supérieure des Arts du Cirque, Brussels), as well as contemporary dance, notably at P.A.R.T.S. (Performing Arts Research and Training Studios, Brussels).

This dual career has liberated a particular physical language for him that is shaped by two constants: his research into the creative and kinetic potential of physical limitation, and the relationship between the performer and the object.

His first success ANECKXANDER in 2015, in which he appeared naked struggling with himself and impossible objects, laid down the foundations for this approach. Meanwhile in Red Haired Men, he drew inspiration from the spirit and prose of Daniil Kharms, leader of Oberiou, the last group of Russian modernist poets.

With the same energy, Vantournhout and his performers embrace elements in it from dance, circus, contortion, puppet theatre, magic and ventriloquism in a brilliant manifesto against petrified forms to achieve perfect mastery of a poetry of the absurd.

Part of Festival UP!
Biennale Internationale de Cirque - l’Espace Catastrophe

Choreography, artistic direction : Alexander Vantournhout // Creation & Performance : Ruben Mardulier,
Axel Guerin,
Winston Reynolds, Alexander Vantournhout // Dramaturgy : Kristof van Baarle // Choreographic Eye: Anneleen Keppens // Acting Coaching : Jan Steen // Outside view : Geert Belpaeme, Lili M. Rampre //Magic : Tim Oelbrandt // Builder: Willy Cauwelier // Light & Sound : Rinus Samyn, Bram Vandeghinste // Company manager : Esther Maas // Costumes : Anne Vereecke // Diffusion : Frans Brood Productions // Photo credits: Bart Grietens //

Production : NOT STANDING asbl // Coproduction : La Brèche Cherbourg – PNC de Normandie, Cirque Théâtre Elbeuf – PNC de Normandie, Vooruit, PERPLX – circusfestival, Les Subsistances, Le Manège – Scène nationale de Reims Soutien : Communauté flamande, Ville de Roulers // Residencies : La Brèche Cherbourg – PNC de Normandie, Cirque Théâtre Elbeuf – PNC de Normandie, Vooruit, STUK, Le Bateau Feu – Scène Nationale Dunkerque, Theater op de Markt, Les Subsistances, P.A.R.T.S, Circuscentrum – promotion des arts du cirque en Flandre, De Warande, CIRCa – Pôle National Cirque Auch, tanzhaus nrw Dusseldorf, Le Manège – Scène nationale de Reims, De Grote Post, KAAP Brugge Oostende, actoral – festival des arts et des écritures conte.