Loopit

Loopit premiered in 2017. An intimate and humorous piece, it marked a departure from choreographer Tero Saarinen’s large-scale works. Loopit focuses on the unfinished, repetitive and topsy-turvy nature of the human condition. We loop same themes, challenges and mistakes from century to century as we try to free ourselves from – often self-inflicted – frames. The absurd atmosphere of Saarinen’s choreography is inspired by the music of punk cabaret band The Tiger Lillies and texts from William Shakeaspeare‘s plays.

The commission of Loopit originally celebrated the 20th anniversary of Dance Theatre MD. In 2021 Loopit returned to Dance Theatre MD’s repertoire as an updated coproduction, featuring TSC Dancer Oskari Kymäläinen among the cast.

Duration
Approx. 60 minutes (without intermission)
Premiere
February 4, 2017, Dance Theatre MD, Tampere, Finland
Production
Dance Theatre MD (Finland) in collaboration with Tero Saarinen Company

Loopit

Choreography Tero Saarinen
Music  The Tiger Lillies
Lighting and set design Ville Konttinen
Costume Design Erika Turunen
Choreographer’s Assistants David Scarantino, Henrikki Heikkilä
Sound design Tero Saarinen, Henri Puolitaival
Set construction design Teemu Kiiskilä
Light technician Sari Mayer
Sound technician Jonne Nieminen
Costume realization Osk Työhuone Hengari

Citations from William Shakespeare’s plays As You Like, Macbeth, The Tempest

Dance (2021) Klaara Haapanen, Elina Jakowleva, Oskari Kymäläinen (TSC), Ville Oinonen, Samuli Roininen and Mari Rosendahl

Calendar

All events

History behind the collaboration

Dance Theatre Dansco, MD’s predecessor, was the first company to commission a full evening creation from the then up-and-coming young choreographer Tero Saarinen. The result, Charm 1 (1993), also marked the beginning of Saarinen’s collaboration with lighting designer Mikki Kunttu.

In 1997, the year when the dance theatres Mobita and Dansco merged to form Dance Theatre MD, Charm 1 was performed to celebrate Mobita’s 25th anniversary. The performance was taped for television by the Finnish Broadcasting Company.