With Fingers in the air, Arqués wants to surprise his audience and himself. The concept of his choreography is quite complex, it is a fun and fresh ballet that invites the audience to actively participate in deciding the course of the choreography. 

Audience members are provided with a green and a red light during the pause. Through the show a voice-over gradually gives them several opportunities to vote during the performance.

“It feels like making two ballets, consisting of different scenes that can be used as options to build up the structure of the ballet. It will be a live event that will be different every night.”

In addition, the choreography - set to pulsating, electronic music by sound artist Scanner - contains many layers, with many symbols and references. The deep drums and the bass of the music also bring excitement and sensuality to the choreography. Whereas the light and costume design (by Wijnand van der Horst and Oliver Haller, respectively) play an essential role within Fingers in the air, Arqués consciously opted for a simple set design. Because, he says: “The decor is the audience this time. The landscape that they form with each other and with the light”.

Choreography Juanjo Arqués
Music Robin Rimbaud - Scanner Dramaturge Ineke Kokernoot Costumes Oliver Haller Lights Wijnad van der Horst
Voice over Chazia Mouralli Assistant Jose Carlos Blanco 
Ballet Master Caroline Iura Company Junior Company Dutch National Ballet. World première March 2018