CH

Sanddorn Balance

all around the world

With thirteen palm leaf ribs, the Swiss artist Mädir Rigolo creates an oasis of concentration and serenity, a place of equilibrium – fragile moments of joy which, almost as soon as they are created, are destroyed by the artist himself. Sanddorn Balance has been performed successfully on theatre stages, at museums, and within exhibitions. Sanddorn Balance is often invited to work in a way that highlights architecture, or gives a special touch to non-theatre venues. Sanddorn Balance can also be an integral part of cabarets and other productions, or a celebrated feature at various kinds of special event.

The extraordinary success story of Sanddorn Balance began over twenty years ago. In 1996, the Swiss theatre producer Mädir Rigolo created a balancing act for the stage production Sanddorn. The play was set in knee-deep sand, the only props the withered ribs of date and coconut palm leaves, which Rigolo had collected from the most beautiful beaches in the world. It would then take years to draw the attention of vaudeville and circus producers. One of the first show producers to invite Sanddorn Balance was André Heller, who wanted it to become part of his show Magnifico. Thus the worldwide success was set in motion. Today, whether it’s in Australia, the US, Japan or Europe; if it’s in a theatre, cabaret, or tent; on Broadway, at the Cirque du Soleil, in museums, or at selected galas and exhibitions; in front of an audience consisting of several thousands of people or just a few hundred, the Sanddorn Balance touches audiences and the media and has received the highest praise.

In this moment of highest public attention Mädir Rigolo made the decision to transfer his art to some exceptional new talents. These successors bear the name Rigolo with pride. They guard the art of Sanddorn Balance, develop it and give it a life of its own. Sanddorn Balance has many secrets and each unique performer can draw on one to present it in their own way. Mädir Rigolo himself is focusing his appearances on performances for museum contexts, architectural environments, or selected projects for film and video. Besides Sanddorn Balance, Mädir Rigolo dedicates himself to the creation and development of new stunning stage works.

Mädir Rigolo and Lena Roth founded Rigolo Swiss Nouveau Cirque in 1978. As a living experiment, Rigolo strives to create a union of dance, theatre, acrobatics, art, music and brilliant décor in all its productions. At Rigolo, visitors are spirited away into a forgotten world that observes only its own rules, a world in which mythical and archaic ideas are revealed in new and mysterious ways.