The Loose Collective is a Vienna-based group of choreographers, musicians and artists founded in 2009. It is well known for its quirky style of mixing pop culture, music theatre and dance routines in an entertaining manner.

Here its performers offer an original take on nothing less than the Old Testament. The collective fearlessly approaches the Bible as a truly utopian document. Absurdly comic dialogues alternate with whimsical group choreographies, accusation and praise, and enthusiastic dance sequences. All done in sixties-style retro wigs, with screaming electric guitars and a choir.

Through their use of various musical styles, such as electro pop, reggae and diaspora post-punk, and with a good dose of irony and cynicism, the collective manages to juggle successfully with biblical quotes and to reveal the current relevance of these religious texts.

CONCEPT/PERFORMANCE Alex Deutinger, Alexander Gottfarb, Thomas Kasebacher, Marta Navaridas, Anna Maria Nowak MUSIC/COMPOSITION Guenther Berger und Stephan Sperlich - 78plus COSTUMES Hanna Hollmann LIGHTDESIGN Peter Thalhamer SOUND Stefan Ehgartner OUTSIDE EYES Jacob Banigan, Frans Poelstra

Co-production Tanzquartier Wien, Kunstverein Archipelago Wien and Performanceinitiative 22 Graz. In Zusammenarbeit mit: D.ID/Dance Identity Burgenland, Kulturprogramm der EU, Modul-Dance, DanceIreland Dublin, Dansens Hus Stockholm, Danse Hallerne Copenhagen, Co-Festival, Kino Siska Ljubljana. Friendly supported by: Stadt Graz Kultur, Kultur Land Steiermark, Kulturabteilung der Stadt Wien, bmu:kk. In cooperation with SOPHIENSÆLE.

photo © Katharina Dilena