The first ERGO Production is a trilogy inspired by Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy and it unfolds through the three distinct episodes CORPO | TO THE ABYSS | HOLY FATHER which correspond to Dante’s Hell, Purgatory and Paradise. The Divine Comedy is an emblematic masterpiece. The performances CORPO | TO THE ABYSS | HOLY FATHER reflect upon the Divine Comedy and the symbolic meanings which Dante attempts to transmit to his readers through this work.

« Dante Alighieri documented his adventures across Hell, up to Purgatory, and finally to Paradise, offering his readers synesthetic images and landscapes. In each performance thirteen bodies and five musicians will strive to re-invent and bring the atmosphere of Dante’s journey in the Contemporary Theatre of Athens. A revolving stage and bodies which instantly vanish and constantly reappear in front of the audience’ eyes. A bombardment of music, silence and intense physicality. The imagery and the landscapes of the Divine Comedy are transformed into an aesthetic experience made up of music, sounds and conflicting movement qualities. The audience will not actually see bodies burn, but it will feel the fire burning» Αntonia Economo.

The Divine Comedy is divided into three equally important parts. Dante constructed an afterlife structure, one might even say universe, with the outmost detail. With an extremely strict and arbitrary intention, Dante created a consistent classification system according to which he defined the afterlife punishment of Hell or reward of Paradise of historic individuals and everyday people of his time, but also of people who came before him. One was evaluated based on how one had chosen to live one’s life, as a free agent, and how one defined oneself in it and in relation to others. With the support of NEON.

Artistic Director & Choreographer | Antonia Economo