by 
“This hour-long exercise in intimacy and trust melds circus acrobatics and dance with admirably concentrated ingenuity.”
— ★★★★ The Times UK
Through the Grapevine is a quirky pas de deux between two men. Performers Alexander Vantournhout and Axel Guérin show their bodies, stripped of all frills.
They are trained but certainly not perfect. They do not try to convince with virtuous movements. Gradually, their athletic bodies collide with physical limitations and their movements guide them in the discovery of the strengths and weaknesses of their own specific physique. The choreography creates an interplay between these differences in proportions and physical strength. With great effort and concentration, the performers search for balance, equilibrium, and harmony without shying away from humour. They challenge one another and drive each other forward, alternately leading the dance. Through constant mutual physical contact, the synergy between touching and being touched unfolds as the base melody of the performance.
The seventh performance by Alexander Vantournhout, following La Rose en Céramique (2018) and Raphael (2017), is his first true duet and builds upon the thematic aspects of ANECKXANDER (2015) to a certain extent. The body is reintroduced in a highly pure form and the performance delves into the creative, kinetic potential of physical limitations, a theme that is reflected throughout his oeuvre. Following the on-scene performance of SCREWS (2019), Alexander dives back into the theatre, with partner in crime Axel Guérin, whom we previously saw as one of the performers in Red Haired Men (2018).
Performances in 7th-8th Nov 2025
Tickets will come on sale in summer 2025!
Tickets from: Oulu Culture Centre Valve, Ticketmaster.fi
Tickets: 25/20/15 € (+ Ticketmaster ticketing costs)
Performances in Oulu Culture Centre Valve, Hallituskatu 7
Age recommendation: adults and youth
Duration: 60 min.
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Concept & choreography Alexander Vantournhout
Created in collaboration with Emmi Väisänen & Axel Guérin
Performers Axel Guérin & Alexander Vantournhout
Composer Andrea Belfi
Dramaturgy Rudi Laermans
Lighting design Caroline Mathieu
Lighting proposal Harry Cole
Technics Bram Vandeghinste
Costumes Anne-Catherine Kunz
Concept scenography Bjorn Verlinde
Outside eye Anneleen Keppens, Maria Ferreira Silva
Thanks to Sébastien Hendrickx, Vera Tussing, Esse Vanderbruggen
Distribution Frans Brood Productions
Company manager Esther Maas
Production manager Kiki Verschueren & Janne Coonen
Production Not Standing
Photos Bart Grietens
