LOOP // Made Verbal
ETA Company “LOOP”
ETA Company’s new dance production “LOOP” delves into the dual nature of social media – the blessing and curse of our time – exploring how we divide and direct our attention in this endless stream of information, and to what extent we allow ourselves to be influenced by it all.
The production casts a critical eye on social media, how it has irreversibly changed our world, culture, behaviour, relationships, and identity, touching upon themes such as the loss of privacy, smart device addiction, fake reality, and the constant presence of cameras. Who controls us and our attention in this digital labyrinth? Do we still know how to live without a constant online presence, and do we remember what it truly feels like to be bored?
The dancers’ bodies create narratives on stage of how our movement and self-expression have changed under the watchful eye of cameras, and how smart devices have become like extensions of our bodies.
Dynamic and flowing, “LOOP” uses recognisable social media elements, viral trends, and stereotypes, and shows how we can consciously shape our relationship with technology, including the rapid development of artificial intelligence, and adapt and find balance in a changing world.
Premiere: August 5, 2025, at DanceBase, Edinburgh
Choreographers, dancers: Daniela Privis, Marko Reitalu, Mariann Onkel, Juulius Vaiksoo
Dramaturgical support: Anna Kenrick
Lighting designers: Marita Keskküla, Priidu Adlas
Costume designer: Karmen Teesi Pregel
Duration: ~ 20 minutes
Production and technical execution: Estonian Dance Agency
Review:
Theatre review: Evolution from 2025 Project Y Evolution Company, ETA Kompanii (Estonian Dance Agency), Rhythmosaic Dance Company at Assembly @ Dance Base. Donald C Stewart, The British Theatre Guide, 9.08.2025
ETA Company “Made Verbal”
“Made Verbalt”, a new production by Scottish-English choreographer Anna Kenrick, delves into the power of movement and dance to break different forms of silence. Drawing inspiration from Audre Lorde’s thought “it is not difference that makes us crippled, but silence,” the production explores how we can create dialogue through dance and encourage each other to speak up even when others remain silent.
“Made Verbal” is a dance performance about the dynamics of human relationships, which often reflect the broader social situation. How do we create a safe space to speak and listen? How do we support each other so that we dare to be honest and vulnerable? Anna Kenrick’s production seeks these answers through the bodies, movement and emotions of the dancers, creating a visually and emotionally powerful, yet supportive experience. “Made Verbal” is a call to break the silence, make our voices heard, and support each other in the language of movement.
Premiere: May 3, 2025 at Paide Music and Theatre House
Choreographer, director: Anna Kenrick
Dancers: Mariann Onkel, Daniela Privis, Marko Reitalu, Juulius Vaiksoo
Lighting designers: Marita Keskküla, Priidu Adlas
Costume designer: Karmen Teesi Pregel
Duration: ~ 20 minutes
Production and technical execution: Estonian Dance Agency
Sound used in the production:
Voice Over - Marianne
Little Orc - Niklas Paschburg, Andy Barlow
Waltz - Balanescu Quartet
Helicopter - Daniel Selke Sebastian Selke, Ceeys
Lost and Found - Daniel Selke, Sebastian Selke, Ceeys
ETA Company, which grew out of the educational and performance project of the Estonian Dance Agency Dance School, brings together professionals entering the dance field in its renewed lineup in spring 2025: Juulius Vaiksoo, Marko Reitalu, Daniela Privis and Mariann Onkel. Their movement on stage brings the contradictions of the digital age and a thought-provoking visual experience to the audience.
Anna Kendrick, director of “Made Verbal” and dramaturgy consultant of “LOOP”:
“Made Verbal” / “LOOP” premiere double bill performance had been developed through a collaboration between YDance (UK) and Eesti Tantsuagentuur.
YDance and ETA have been collaborating since 2023. Based on a mutual ethos and commitment to excellence in youth dance, the partnership aims to develop access to creative and development opportunities for Scottish and Estonian dancers. In 2023 the National Youth Dance Company of Scotland (NYDCS) came to Tallinn to perform at the Koolitants festival in Ugala Theatre. This grew into an exchange project with Koolitantsu Kompanii dancers, who worked with Elisa Sirelpuu and NYDCS dancers, which culminated in a triple bill performance for 3 nights at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. In 2024 Anna Kenrick, choreographer with NYDCS, worked with dancers in Estonia to create a new contemporary work for Koolitants festival in Pärnu, Viljandi and Jõhvi, which led to the project you will watch as tonight´s double bill.
The aim of the 2025 partnership is to create opportunities for emerging young professionals to develop as dancers, performers and choreographers through a residency and mentoring programme.
Over three creation weeks the first piece “Made Verbal” was created with Artistic Director Anna Kenrick, YDance. Through a contemporary devised autobiographical process the dancers deepened their knowledge of taking concepts into the body to create visceral and physical dance.
The second work, “LOOP” has been developed from idea to performance by the 4 dancers. The process was mentored and supported by Anna Kenrick over 6 months and was successfully performed as part of the Edinburgh Fringe performance in August 2025.
Performances in the theater hall of the Estonian Dance Agency (Hobujaama 12, Tallinn):
November 7, 2025 at 7:00pm
November 8, 2025 at 7:00pm
November 9, 2025 at 6:00pm
Buy ticket here.
Supported by: Tallinn Culture & Sports Department, Cultural Endowment of Estonia, Pakenditööstus, Estonian Centre of Folk Culture, Creative Europe, SPARSE Plus
Photos by Raido Bergstein
