Double - you

the first time I saw Gary Chryst dance was in New York at 
the City centre sometime in the eighties. The work I saw was 
“Parade”! An extraordinary piece created by some of the 
greatest artists of the time: Cocteau, Satie, Picasso and 
Massine. It was created for Diaghilev’s “Ballets Russes”. 
The premiere was in 1917 at the Théâtre du Châtelet. In my 
opinion the work lives because of the names its famous 
creators. But it comes to life through the force, artistry, 
virility and performing skills of the dancers... In the 
performance I saw one extraordinary item: The solo of the 
“Chinese conjurer”. It was danced by Gary Chryst. And this 
was a very memorable experience! Although behind a heavy 
costume and a mask which made him unrecognizable, he 
managed to perform with energy, conviction and artistry 
which I found astounding..! Later in the evening I met him in 
the street and congratulated him - I will not forget.

Years later I have asked him to join NDT III (the company 
for dancers between forty and death). In this company I have 
created the work “Double you” for him. It was created at 
a very sensitive time for Gary. He just lost a very close 
friend...
Although “Double you” is about loss, death and grief...
it also celebrates our ability to walk a “Tightrope” 
risking everything and believing that there is some chance 
to reach the other shore... not knowing what the arrival will 
bring.!? The decor of two extremely heavy objects mercilessly 
swinging as pendulums, registering the passing time, is 
unforgiving. In this 12 minute solo many difficulties of 
“life” are exposed: Endurance, balance, discipline, timing, 
vulnerability, loneliness and so on and on and on...
The title “Double you” is a play on words... the words which 
begin with “W” are strangely significant for the work we set 
out to create: