En–Knap & Kristina Aleksova, Loup Abramovici

OHO

25 min

#at the theatre

2019

Created by an established team of artists from Slovenia’s independent performing arts scene, OHO invites audiences into a colourful world of stories that emerge and dissolve in the interplay of movement and music. Taking theatre itself as its starting point, the performance encourages children’s imagination through a playful succession of short, humorous scenes. What unfolds before our eyes is something that could best be described as a blend of silent film, cartoon and theatre.

Suitable for ➝ kindergarten 4+, primary school 1st cycle
Themes creativity, play, movement, visual thinking, curiosity

OHO En Knap 2019 foto Andrej Lamut www 6
OHO En Knap 2019 foto Andrej Lamut www 10
OHO En Knap 2019 foto Andrej Lamut www 16
OHO En Knap 2019 foto Andrej Lamut www 18
OHO En Knap 2019 foto Andrej Lamut www 52
OHO En Knap 2019 foto Andrej Lamut www 67
OHO En Knap 2019 foto Andrej Lamut www 98
OHO En Knap 2019 foto Andrej Lamut www 125
OHO En Knap 2019 foto Andrej Lamut www 144

At times funny, at times turbulent, but always unpredictable, the rich soundscape gives Kristina Aleksova and Loup Abramovici the freedom to tell their stories without words, relying primarily on movement and facial expression while nurturing the imagination of young audiences. The narrative is never fixed or definitive; more often, it appears as a suggestion, inviting children to complete the story in their own way. In tune with the nature of children’s attention, the performance captivates through gestures that gradually unfold into stories, soundscapes and colourful imaginary worlds. Together they create a magical realm that belongs naturally to children and remains accessible to fortunate adults only in their dreams.

This is a show for children, it’s whatever it wants to be  
It can laugh and it can cry, or do whatever it wants you to see
It can fly and get lost in the clouds
Or it can crawl down on the ground
It can worm its way across the street
Without a peep, without a sound
It can be angry and ruin your party
Or it can be smelly and pointless and farty
It could say yes. Or it could say no.

There's no shame in being afraid or awkward
Everything that comes down, soon turns upward
Up and down, and up and down
Everyone's right and no one's a clown
Mr. Balloon and Ms. Baloonette
Only know not to come near a wolf's fang
Because, as every child knows,
A balloon and a wolf equals a bang.

A) Dance & movement workshops

Participants discover how performances are created through easy and approachable choreographies at a practical dance workshop led by members of En–Knap Group. 

Suitable for ➝ age 5+, primary school, high school

B) Backstage tour 

What happens behind the curtain before a performance begins? This guided visit takes participants through the hidden spaces of the theatre, introducing the people, tools and processes that make a performance possible. From the stage and lighting booth to rehearsal spaces and technical equipment, students discover how many different skills come together to create a live event.

The tour is adapted to different age groups and connected to the performance they have seen, on stage or in virtual reality.

Suitable for ➝ age 5+, primary school, high school

C) Meet the artists

Conversations with choreographers, dancers and guest artists offer a closer look at how performances are created. Together, we explore where ideas come from, how movement becomes a language, and how dance can speak about identity, relationships, technology and the world around us. 
What is a choreographer actually doing? How do dancers create movement? Can a body tell a story? How does contemporary dance approach themes such as identity, belonging, friendship, difference or community? Each conversation is adapted to the performance and age group, encouraging young audiences to connect their own experiences with the artistic process.

Suitable for ➝ primary school 3rd cycle, high school

bio

Kristina Aleksova is a dancer, choreographer, author, and performer. She began her dance training at the Ljubljana Conservatory of Music and Ballet. After graduating in 2002, she joined the ensemble of SNG Opera and Ballet Ljubljana. In 2013, Kristina became a member of Tanzkompanie Graz but returned to SNG Opera and Ballet Ljubljana in 2014, where she continued performing ballet repertoire and creating choreography. During this period, she developed works such as Otroci z roba resničnosti and Globina (po)gleda. In 2017, she transitioned to working as a freelance artist, choreographer, dancer, and performer. She began developing her own projects within the Via Negativa Lab, resulting in works like Srce in Poljub. She remains actively involved with the Via Negativa association. In 2023, she participated as an artist in the Ventilator series by Zavod Sploh and began mentorship at the Performance Art Research Ljubljana (PARL).

Loup Abramovici is a French-Portuguese dancer, performer and choreographer who has lived and worked in Slovenia since 2010. After beginning his training in classical ballet, he shifted his focus to contemporary dance, studying at the CNDC in Angers and the CCN in Montpellier, where he worked with a number of prominent choreographers. Since relocating to Slovenia, he has developed his artistic practice in close collaboration with musician Tomaž Grom (Sploh Institute) and as a member of the collectives Via Negativa and Feminalz (Emanat). As a performer and co-creator, he has collaborated with choreographers and directors including Maja Delak, Teja Reba, Bara Kolenc, Matija Ferlin, Mala Kline, Nataša Živković, Bojan Jablanovec and Ema Kugler. In 2013, he received the Ksenija Hribar Award, presented by the Contemporary Dance Association of Slovenia, for Best Dancer.

credits

​Director Bojan Jablanovec 

Authors and performers Kristina Aleksova and Loup Abramovici

Assistant Director Anita Wach 

Costume and Set Designer Olja Grubić 

Music by Andrej Fon 

Musicians Andrej Fon, Jure Boršič, Gal Furlan 

Lighting Designer Leon Curk 

Technicians Leon Curk, Gal Škrjanec Skaberne

Executive Producer Zala Česnik 

Illustration and Design nejaaka 

Photography and Video Andrej Lamut 

Translation Jure Škerl 

 

Production En–Knap Productions

 

Director (Španski borci), Head of Programme and Production (En–Knap) Marjeta Lavrič 

Artistic Director (Španski borci), Director (En–Knap) Iztok Kovač

Public relations and Editor Nina Smerkol 

Marketing   Goran Pakozdi 

Technical Coordinator Jaka Šimenc 

Head of Finance Julija Travančić 

Programme Organisation and Coordination Katja Gabrijelčič 

The programme of En–Knap and the Španski Borci Cultural Centre (managed by En–Knap Productions) is financially supported by the City of Ljubljana – Department of Culture and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia.