DANCE PROHIBITION

A performance about the culture of prohibition and a manifesto on the right of the people to dance free when, where and how hey want.

By a decision of the Ministry of the Interior, Finland was banned from dancing at public events in December 1939. It was feared to degrade morale, lower the will to fight and increase the use of intoxicants. However, dancing could not be prevented and the best celebrations sank underground, out of sight of the authorities.

Behind the darkened windows, there was sweating as the music raged, dancers ready to escape with the gramophone in the armpit. The police were allowed to use force if necessary. History knows of two cases in which a bullet hit fatally a fleeing dancer.

We are still being surveilled. Who is accepted to enter, what is allowed and when the party should end… Therefore, the underground is alive and kicking.

If Dancing is a crime, we can be arrested. These are the best celebrations of the century, everyone is welcome!

Directing: Antti Lahti | Script and choreography: Antti Lahti and working group | Sound design: Antti Puumalainen | Costume design: Taina Natunen | Set design: Sari Paljakka | Lighting design: Juho Itkonen | Performers: Reetta-Kaisa Iles, Tuomas Juntunen, Sampo Kerola, Salla Korja, Riikka Puumalainen, Anni Horsmanheimo, Mika Juusela | Production: Dance Theatre Minimi, Tsuumi Dance Theatre | Original production: Dance Theatre Minimi, Tsuumi Dance Theatre and Kuopio City Theatre | Photos: Petra Tiihonen, Uupi Tirronen | Trailer: Kim Saarinen | Production of the visit: JoJo – Oulu Dance Centre | Duration of the performance: 90 min, incl. intermission