GABO is a moving dance performance about the question of what it means to be ‘different’ and the prejudices that surround this. One day, the magical doll Gabo suddenly comes to life. He soon begins to wonder what the world would feel like if we no longer thought in terms of differences. Who determines what is beautiful or ugly? Who is ‘different’ or not? Who gets more or less opportunities and who is limited? Together with two dancers, he embarks on a wonderful journey of discovery in search of the answers.
The dance performance was created by Dançando com a Diferença, which translates to ‘Dancing with Differences’. The company, based on the Portuguese island of Madeira, has been making dance performances with people who experience limitations and diverse possibilities for more than 21 years. Under the inspiring leadership of the dance pedagogue Henrique Amoedo, Dançando com a Diferença has gained national and international recognition.
The group regularly tours Europe and is considered the most important art organization on the island of Madeira itself. Through its work, which also includes formal and informal dance education at a community level, the company endeavors to break down the stigmas attached to people with other abilities and promote social inclusion. Dançando com a Diferença’s ambitious strategy is to move beyond the traditionally limiting boundaries of the dance/ability sector and to be accepted within the regular international performing arts scene. To achieve this, they frequently work with established national and international choreographers, that help to further push the boundaries towards inclusivity