In Praise of Shadows

The young Swedish circus company Below Zero is making its German debut at the Düsseldorf Festival with its show “In Praise of Shadows”, which explores the shadows within us and around us. Alongside Australian and French companies, Below Zero exemplifies a distinctive Scandinavian style that evokes the untamed, rugged yet poetic beauty of the North. “In Praise of Shadows” is an aesthetically captivating show that seamlessly combines daring acrobatics with dynamic choreography, accompanied by live music ranging from whispering silence to pulsating rhythms, rustic folk music and a club atmosphere.

In the summer of 2018, four circus artists set sail in the Swedish archipelago. By the time they returned to land, the dream of Below Zero had become a reality. Below Zero is a circus troupe that performs modern and innovative circus arts. Sweden’s cold weather shapes the troupe’s artistic expression, as creating warmth and human connection in diverse ways is characteristic of Below Zero. The troupe’s name is inspired by the circus artists’ ability to appear weightless in their movements, to fly almost like falling snowflakes, with time seeming to stand still and weight appearing to cease to exist.

Sara Runsten, Axel Ahl, concept and idea, direction
Lisa Angberg, concept and idea
Thomas Steyaert and the ensemble, choreography
Mischa Grind and Anna Möller, composition
Jonna Bergelin, costumes and set design
Raimo Nyman, lighting design
Amanda Fromell, dramaturgy
Josefin Rosales, artistic advisory board

On Stage
Axel Ahl, Lisa Angberg, Tuk Frederiksen, Gabriel Nielsen Soldati, Joel Roxendal, Sara Runsten, Simon Wiborn
Mischa Grind, Anna Möller, Music
Stefan Hansen, Simone Stevens, Stand-Ins

Elin Hammar, Klara Sköldulf Philipp, Production
Jonatan Stenson, Lighting technician
Roberto Broggi, Sound technician
Cais-Marie Björnlod, Make-up

A co-production by Below Zero and Stockholm City Theatre
Supported by: the Swedish Arts Council, the Swedish Arts Grants Committee, Region Stockholm, Riksteatern, Jonk! Scenkonst, Cirkus Cirkör, Chamäleon Theater, Dansinitiativet and Subtopia