6 & 9

Masterpieces of abstract beauty, a tribute to the potential and perseverance of the human body, these two pieces dazzle with their simplicity and virtuosity. Tableaux of extraordinary fluidity, sparing and mysterious, 6 and 9 provoke an aesthetic and metaphysical shock. The young Chinese choreographer Tao Ye caused a sensation with this series where minimalist purity and rigour create a dream of eternity.

The titles refer to the number of dancers in each piece, and 6 and 9 are characterized by the undulating movement of the dancers performing in a space suffused with shadow and light. For 6, they create in perfect unison a meditative ritual, celebrating an obscure harmony in a state of hypnotic trance. With 9, the theme is individuals under tension, a plurality of bodies waltzing the chaos between harmony and discord. Tao Ye directs his dancers brilliantly, creating a magnetic, almost sacred presence. 6 and 9 fascinate and bewitch.

Produced by TAO Dance Theater
Choreographed by Tao Ye
Performed by Xue Mao (6 & 9) + Jinying Yu (6 & 9) + Li Huang (6 & 9) + Da Ming (6 & 9) + Jing Hu (6 & 9) + Yulin Yan (6 & 9) + Yunhui Jiang (9) + Qiaoqiao Zhang (9) + Huanshuo Guo (9)
Music Xiao He
Lighting Design Ellen Ruge (6) + Tao Ye (9) + Ma Yue (9)
Costume Design Tao Ye (6 & 9) + Li Min (6) + Duan Ni (9)
Lighting Operator Ma Yue (6)
Rehearsal Director Duan Ni (6)
Company Manager Wang Hao
Director of International Projects Jun Jun

6
Commissioned by NorrlandsOperan
With the support of Umeå 2014 European Cultural Capital + Swedish Arts Council (Stockholm) + Swedish Arts Grants Committee (Stockholm) + Region Vasterbotten (Umeå) + China Literature and Art Foundation (Beijing)

9
Co-produced and co-commissioned by Asia TOPA —Arts Centre Melbourne + Sadler’s Wells (London) + Théâtre de la Ville (Paris) + Théâtre Paris-Villette + Shanghai International Dance Center Theater + National Taichung Theater (Taiwan)

Presented in association with Place des Arts

6 premiered at NorrlandsOperan, 2014 European Cultural Capital, Umeå, on February 1, 2014
9 premiered at National Centre for the Performing Arts, Beijing, on November 3, 2017