Cherry Town

About this event

This new production of Cherry Town represents a cross-disciplinary collaboration between De Nationale Opera, Jakop Ahlbom Company, and ISH Dance Collective. The staging approaches Shostakovich's only operetta by blending physical theatre, hip-hop dance, and live orchestral music. Director Jakop Ahlbom, known for his visual poetry and humor, replaces the traditional spoken dialogues of the operetta with silent acting and mime. The production's stunt and dance sequences are developed in partnership with choreographer Marco Gerris, artistic director of ISH Dance Collective. The staging aims to highlight the lighter, more buoyant side of Shostakovich's work, which is filled with waltzes, polkas, and various dance styles, while maintaining the composer's satirical edge. The performance features a mixed cast of classical singers sharing the stage with urban dancers and the Chorus of the Dutch National Opera.