Slip Grip

SLIP GRIP The new show prepared by choreographer Jitka Sara Páníková and composer Natalia Pleváková, presented in premiere at the festival, is a ride on the edge. Literally.

The performer puts on roller skates she cannot ride. Her body, used to being under perfect control, suddenly slips on an unknown surface, balancing, responding, shattering the ingrained habits. Instead of minituously prepared show, this is the space for honesty, where the ride begins on the very spot where certainty is lost. Instead of certainty comes the search for balance. Instead of top performance comes the presence.

Fragility meets determination on stage. What matters is not falling but believing that we can handle what comes when there is nothing left to hold on to. A show for introverts in the noisy world, for anyone who has ever felt off beat and still danced on through life. 

If you expect advice on how to roll out of problems, SLIP GRIP gives you none. Just a ride: unpredictable, rickety and – perhaps thanks of this – liberating.

What if we first need to lose control to be able to actually start rolling?

JITKA SARA PÁNÍKOVÁ is a performer and choreographer. Her work includes interpretations as well as original choreographies and site-specific interventions in public space. As a performer, she has collaborated with PocketArt (Fairy Tales), Brazilian dance group Grupo Tàpias (FANTASMAS), and the 2VA collective (Kick [yourself] up by Dancing). With her long-standing creative partner, dancer Tereza Lenerová (There is a Sense of Being; Glove Concern), she received the main jury prize at the 2022 Czech Dance Platform for their production dis pla y. In the past, she collaborated with Israeli choreographer Sofia Krantz, Chinese choreographer Shi Bo, and Czech choreographer Michal Záhora. Jitka is also a solo artist. Her original projects include Frankie Teardrop, presented at the Duncan Centre and Prague Pride Festival (2020), De Profundis, created for the Prague Crossroads festival (2020), Chiaroscuro Hédonistico, presented at the Alta Theatre, and Let Me Note, created for the opening of the new Alta Theatre venue (2023).