Recommended age: 12+

Alexander Vantournhout is back to Cirkopolis after successful raw self-portrait ANECKXANDER. With Red Haired Men, Alexander Vantournhout began with the work of the Russian writer Daniil Kharms (1905–1942). Charms wrote his short, estranging and funny texts in the dark times of Stalin's purges. Uncomfortable physicality and movements, nonsense, and the materiality of language are typical ‘Kharmsian’ characteristics. Vantournhout, along with three other performers, translates these onto the stage, where choreography is combined with circus and magic. Charms himself was interested in the mingling of forms that were considered high art with those looked down upon as merely entertainment. On the thresholds between dance, acrobatics, circus and theater, Red Haired Men creates a universe in which people appear and disappear, and where wonder and humor are never without risk. There was a red-haired man who had no eyes or ears. He didn't have hair either, so he was called red-haired arbitrarily. He couldn't talk because he had no mouth. He didn't have a nose either. He didn't even have arms or legs. He had no stomach, he had no back, no spine and he didn’t have any insides at all. There was nothing! So, we don't even know who we are talking about. We’d better not talk about him any more. (Daniil Charms)

Choreography and concept: Alexander Vantournhout Creation and performance: Winston Reynolds, Axel Guérin, Ruben Mardulier/Antoni Androulakis, Alexander Vantournhout Dramaturg: Kristof van Baarle Choreographical eye: Anneleen Keppens Theatre coach: Jan Steen Outside eyes: Lili M. Rampre, Esse Vanderbruggen Magical advice: Tim Oelbrandt