'Combat des lianes’ by Zora Snake at the Théâtre National Wallonie-Bruxelles (premiere September 2025)
© Thumbnail: Marin Driguez / Agence VU'
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“Combat des lianes” means “Battle of the Lianas”. Lianas are tropical plants that climb up trees in pursuit of light. They wind their way criss-cross through the rainforest. Nothing can stop them. For his choreography, Zora Snake drew inspiration from the mighty lianas of Cameroon’s forests. Just as the lianas grow and wind their way through the forest, this dance piece grows and winds its way across the stage. It champions a mindful approach to our shared natural heritage, fighting against the injustices of the current capitalist world order, against the exploitation of nature and the destruction of habitats.

'Combat des lianes’ by Zora Snake at the Théâtre National Wallonie-Bruxelles (premiere September 2025)
© Thumbnail: Marin Driguez / Agence VU’

Music and movement merge into a powerful expression against oppression and destruction – loud and unstoppable. The dancers’ bodies become a voice for solidarity and renewal. Movements drawn from hip-hop, contemporary dance and traditional Cameroonian dances come together to form a collective ritual. An evening full of power and poetry that transforms the stage into a place of encounter. The Cameroonian choreographer and dancer returns to Berlin following his celebrated dance solo “Opéra du villageois” at Transkontinentale 2024.

Cast

Concept and Choreography
Zora Snake

Performers
Zora Snake
Joy Alpuerto Ritter
Jessica Chiye Warshal
Zadi Landry Kipre
Gandir Prudence

Music Composition
Christiane Prince
Rokia Bamba

Live Music
Christiane Prince
Pawel Wnuczynski

Dramaturgy
Youness Anzane

Set Design
Jean Michel Dissake

Lighting Design
Emily Brassier

Costume Design
Lamyne M

Text
Dénètem Touam Bona

Stage management
Stéphanie Denoiseux
Julian Fernandez Guillen

Lighting engineer
Didier Covassin

Sound engineer
Pawel Wnuczynski
Célia Naver

Technical management
Giuliana Rienzi

Fabrics making
Jean Michel Dissake

Set construction and costumes making
Ateliers du Théâtre National Wallonie-Bruxelles

Accesibility Information

Brief description in plain language 

“Combat des lianes” is a dance piece by the dancer Zora Snake from Cameroon. Cameroon is a country in West Africa. Five dancers are performing it in Hall 2 on the ground floor. They combine hip-hop, modern dance and dances from Cameroon. The performance lasts one and a half hours and has no interval. 

The title means ‘Battle of the vines’ in English. Vines are plants found in the rainforest. They climb up trees. In the performance, the dancers move like vines. They dance together and with great energy. 

The dance is about nature. And about the destruction of nature. It is also about solidarity and a just world. 

Sensory stimuli 

The auditorium is dark and lined with black fabric. The audience is seated on chairs in rows that rise towards the back of the room. The performance uses materials that may have distinctive smells. Stage fog is used. There are sections with sudden changes in lighting and sections during which it is completely dark. 

There is loud music and unexpected and repetitive sounds. The performers on stage move quickly at times. 

Atmosphere 

The lights are dimmed or switched off completely. There are sections where it is loud. To ensure everyone can enjoy the performance, we ask the audience to remain quiet. 

Accessibility 

The play features dialogue in German, English and French. The play can be understood even without knowledge of these languages. There are spaces for wheelchair users, an accessible toilet and a changing places toilet (“Toilette für alle”). If required, an attendant can accompany you to your seat. 

Content Notes 

The dancers express strong emotions on stage. In the beginning and at the end, the audience is invited onto the stage. This is optional. 

 

Produced by Théâtre National Wallonie-Bruxelles in coproduction with Charleroi Danse, Riksteatern Stockholm, South North Foundation, Julidans Amsterdam, One Dance Festival Plovdiv, Theater Freiburg, Manège Maubeuge, africologne Festival Cologne etc. Kindly supported by Institut Français Kamerun.

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