T H E D U T C H O N T O U R - Theater Instituut Nederland

Language
On request
Contact
Artistic director: Wies Merkx
T +31 (0) 30 – 223 96 81
E info@merkxendansers.nl
I www.merkxendansers.nl
Sets the imagination
Merkx & Dansers
in motion
Merkx & Dansers (M&D) is a production centre that creates dance productions for young
audiences. M&D feels strong ties with children, can put themselves in their shoes effortlessly
and sets the imagination in motion. They are good at dance work that stirs children’s senses.
They feel strongly about: light-heartedness with profundity, and purity.
M&D’s work is not confined to a particular dance technique. The company is creating a new
category on the interface of drama and dance. Every piece is given its own colourful mixture
of dance, song, drama and anything else that happens to be on hand. The company’s basis is
modern classical dance, but M&D wants to move with the audience, often coloured children,
and so sometimes breaks out into contemporary dance from various cultural origins.
International
M&D is part of a close-knit, international network. The company has a permanent relationship
with Dansstationen from Sweden, for example, and their Salto youth dance festival. M&D also
works alongside Tanzhaus NRW from Germany, Scene Bunte Wahne from Austria, Dance South
West, Woking festival from England and Blickfelder from Switzerland. Accion Educativa is a new
partner from Madrid.
The company dances and debates at international festivals, often returning in subsequent years.
Mutual curiosity is nothing new to them. M&D sets great store by the interesting dialogue that
evolves. Their high quality is also recognized abroad. During the Blickfelder festival, the press
said: ‘In De Koning Danst/The King Dances, M&D plays a virtuoso performance on the keyboard
of vanity, jealousy and power. Wies Merkx, ‘grande dame’ of Dutch youth dance, manages to
combine baroque gestures with modern movements.’
Rock and The Rollies
Photo: Michael Kooren
The Dutch on tour Youth dance
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