In January 30.1.-1.2.2025, Turku City Theatre's Sopukka will present an exceptional evening of contemporary dance and dance theatre, when internationally renowned dance artists Lisi Estaras and Maria Nurmela will take to the stage, inviting the audience to experience two personal and evocative solo works. Their solo works, Estaras' #THISISBEAUTY and Nurmela's As you like it, offer the audience a deep and personal dive into the world of dance, femininity, experience and embodiment.

Argentine-born Lisi Estaras is one of the leading names on the Belgian contemporary dance scene, and her solo work #THISISBEAUTY is now coming to Finland for the first time. This 50-minute performance plays with fifty ideas for a 50-year-old woman and asks what movement and words can say together: Is it the same what we say as what we want to say? The show explores the inner world of human beings, challenging the audience to consider how we communicate with each other and what we hide behind words and gestures.

#THISISBEAUTY offers viewers a mosaic of emotions, movement and words, in which Estaras creates a rich and insightful vision of the power and beauty of movement. She draws inspiration from different art forms and thinkers, such as philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein, combining elements of dance and verbal expression in a bold and engaging way.

ABOA award-winning dancer-choreographer Maria Nurmela from Turku will premiere her new solo work As you like it, a tribute to the history and memories of dance. Nurmela, who has performed in productions by Tero Saarinen and others, is known for her expressive power and strong stage presence.

As you like it is a versatile solo work that plays with memories, symbols and objects. The title refers to William Shakespeare's play of the same name, where themes of identity, roles and choices are central. Nurmela takes the viewer on a journey of discovery, where movement, objects and symbols unfold into personal interpretations and layers of memories. Movement is not just about steps but how the dancer expresses the effects of life and memory on her body. As you like it highlights the theme of freedom of choice - the possibility to interpret and experience life in your own way.
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Estaras' and Nurmela's solo works complement each other: in both works, movement, language and symbolism intertwine to form an honest, sensitive and original whole. This evening will give audiences the opportunity to discover the personal visions of two experienced and internationally recognised dance artists who are not afraid to challenge the traditional norms of dance.

This evening of two works is a collaboration between Turku City Theatre and the Regional Dance Centre of the West and is part of the 20th anniversary of the Regional Dance Centre Network, Welcome - this evening is made for everyone who loves the power of movement and the diversity of art!

#THISISBEAUTY & As you like it
Turku City Theatre, Sopukka

In cooperation with Turku City Theatre and the Western Dance Regional Centre. The event is part of the official 20th anniversary programme of the Dance Regional Centre Network and the Western Dance Regional Centre.

Thu - Sat 31.1.-1.2.2025 at 19.00

Tickets: https://tkt.lippu.fi/webshop/webticket/bestseatselect?eventId=7766&_gl=1*1onpzyq*_ga*NzIwMzUzNTQ2LjE3MzE2NTAwMTE.*_ga_QFCHP7XYV3*MTczMjEzMjAwNS43LjAuMTczMjEzMjAwOC41Ny4wLjA.

Credits:

#THISISBEAUTY (2022-)

Concept, choreography and dance by Lisi Estaras
Dramaturgy Sara Vanderieck
Sound design Tom Daniels
Lighting design Helmut Van den Meersschaut
Costume design Marie Szersnovicz
Costume design atelier Odile Dubucq
Philosophical advice Carla Carmona
Artistic advice Kristien De Proost Production and communication Hilde Debuck and Nicole Petit
Production MonkeyMind Company
Co-production Festival Bits of Dance Brugge (B), MA Scène Nationale Pays de Montbéliard (F) Residencies KAAP Brugge, MA Scène Nationale Pays de Montbéliard, Tanzhaus Zürich, BAMP Bruxelles CAMPO, Les ballets C de la B and KC Nona (studio)

As you like it

Idea and concept by Maria Nurmela and Lisi Estaras
Choreography, dancing and dance Maria Nurmela
Sound design Jaakko Vastapuu
Lighting design Erno Seppälä
Production Maria Nurmela
Supporters Arts Promotion Center of Finland, Regional Dance Center of Finland, Turku City Theatre, TOP-Foundation, Turun Theatre Foundation.
Residence Pro Manilla Foundation, Aurinkobaletti


Photos by Tom Leentjes (Lisi Estaras) and Vesa Loikas (Maria Nurmela).