The rhythm of the day, of the heart, the mind…
First to the right, second to the left
Get up, go on, walk on, live on
Every day
Again and again
To the right, to the left

First to the right second to the left shows five women who follow their own path, whereby so-called coincidences lead to inescapable choices. In this choreography, Neel Verdoorn exposes the moment in which we make choices. These are pivotal moments that are decisive for the path we follow, for the life we lead. Mechanisms such as rationality versus emotion, religious feeling versus ego, are factors that influence this path.

These women are not only sexy, seductive and feminie, but also tough, proud and forceful. (…) It is up to the spectator to make up his own story, or let an association develop from his or her own experience, knowledge and insights. And that’s what happens, because the personal story takes shape, the association finds content and contour in First to the right second to the left.

Neel Verdoorn connects abstraction and significance in her choreographies. Not an easy combination, yet it yields a choreography that is attractive visually and in its content. One that may give rise to more questions than it may answer, but is therefore even more fascinating.

— Haagsche Couran

Premiere 5 November 2004
Choreography Neel Verdoorn
Dance Eva Maria Christ, Ingetje Wielenga, Yanaika Holle, Henna Lee, Diah Ayu Ariyati
Composition Albert Veenendaal
Performing musician Esmée Olthuis (altsaxofoon)
Stagedesign Maaike Engels
Costumes Asalia Khadjé
Rehearsel director Anouk Sergo
Lightdesign Wil Caspers
Photography Robert Benschop

First to the right second to the left is een coproducton of Korzo Productions and Theater aan het Spui and was financially supported by the Dutch Fund of the Performing Arts, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sciences and the City of The Hague projects.