EK, Mats: Appartement (Paris National Opera, 2003) (PAL)

Cat. No: DV-BLAP

“Just when you think you’ve seen everything, along comes Mats Ek.” Critical Dance

• Legendary Swedish choreographer Mats Ek’s ballet was created for the dancers of the Opéra National de Paris and is here danced by star names including Nicolas Le Riche and Marie-Agnès Gillot

• The name “Appartement” comes both from the word for a living space but also from associations with separation and isolation. The choreography is divided into sections (The Bathroom, The Television, The Pedestrian Crossing, The Kitchen, Children’s Games, Waltz (Four Couples), March of the Vacuum Cleaners, Duo of the Embryos, Grand pas de Deux, Safety Barriers and This Division) and, from the outset, they allow a glimpse of the humour and the subtext inherent in this choreography.

• The ballet is set to the music of the Swedish rock band Fleshquartet who here perform live on stage. The group, a highly expressive string quartet plus drummer and sampler, uses precisely that “fusion” of classical, jazz, hard rock, rap, hiphop and pop which is characteristic of Mats Ek’s choreography.

“I predict a long shelf life for this work of art, for it is no doubt that – an incredible, honest testament of the human condition. Created by a living genius.”Critical Dance on Appartement