GERMANY+AUSTRALIA Theatre • Dance

Complexity of Belonging

A PROJECT BY FALK RICHTER
& ANOUK VAN DIJK

World Premiere

PRESENTED BY Melbourne Festival, Chunky Move and Melbourne Theatre Company in association with Brisbane Festival

From a long-standing and critically lauded collaboration comes a politically charged work from two of theatre and dance’s most unflinching creators.

Uniting the potent choreography of Chunky Move Artistic Director Anouk van Dijk and the text and direction of Falk Richter, Complexity of Belonging seamlessly integrates text, movement and music to create a work of theatre that is in and of its time.

“Utterly unforgettable. Seriously, just go.”
ArtsHub

“A powerful fusion of aesthetics and performance principles. Go.”
Time Out

A darkly humorous exploration of identity in the age of social media, Complexity of Belonging peers into the lives of nine interconnected individuals as they grapple with an essential question: how and where do I belong? Nationality, gender, sexuality and history collide in this audacious, theatrical exposé of the daily trials of surviving in a hyper-connected, globalised society.

“Boundary-pushing choreographic theatre that displays the highest level of artistry.”
The Age

Director-in-residence at Schaubühne Berlin (An Enemy of the People and Hedda Gabler), Falk Richter is one of the most important European playwrights of his generation. This is the fifth work from Richter and Van Dijk, who have been frequent creative collaborators over the past 15 years.

“Powerful, multi-faceted stuff. Really soars when it interweaves the personal and the political.”
Herald Sun

“Deeply moving and frequently hilarious. A must see.”
Australian Stage

ARTIST TALK – FREE

Mon 29 Sep at 6pm

Southbank Theatre

Anouk van Dijk is joined by German Writer and Director, Falk Richter and the full creative team on The Sumner stage at Southbank Theatre in a discussion facilitated by Melbourne Theatre Company's Literary Director, Chris Mead.

GOETHE-INSTITUT ARTIST TALK – FREE

Fri 10 Oct at 6.30pm

Chunky Move, 111 Sturt Street Southbank

Complexity of Belonging production partners, the Goethe Institute, host Falk Richter in conversation with Melbourne critic and journalist Alison Croggon. Register your attendance by emailing arts1@melbourne.goethe.org by Sun 5 Oct.

ARTISTS IN CONVERSATION – FREE

Sun 12 Oct at 1pm

Foxtel Festival Hub

Anouk van Dijk and Falk Richter Having: two European luminaries of the dance and theatre worlds discuss the process of working across art forms.

WHERE DO I BELONG? THE PSYCHOLOGY OF SPACE – FREE

Fri 17 Oct at 6pm

MPavilion

Anouk van Dijk and set designer, Robert Cousins will take part in a panel discussion alongside visual artist Callum Morton and New York performance artist Maria Hassabi.

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government’s Major Festivals Initiative, managed by the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body, in association with the Confederation of Australian International Arts Festivals, Melbourne Festival, Brisbane Festival, Chunky Move and Melbourne Theatre Company.

Image: Sarah Walker