Reviews of Dergin Tokmak in Varekai
Spacetaker.org
Varekai review on Spacetaker.org >>>
2/2005
Near the beginning of the second act of Varekai, there is a fascinating performance by a character dubbed the “Limping Angel”. The title of the piece is “solo on crutches” and the featured artist is Turkish-German dancer Dergin Tokmak. Dergin was a childhood victim of polio, but has not allowed the malady’s effects to hinder him from becoming an elite athlete and highly imaginative performer. The fluidity of Dergin’s movement on crutches surpasses that of the majority of professional dancers who use only their feet to get around. Ever seen anyone hold a handstand on crutches? You will if you see Dergin Tokmak in Varekai. He whirls around the crutches like a gymnast on a vaulting horse. A German newspaper, citing Dergin’s cultural roots, even compared this aspect of the performance to the traditional dances of the dervishes in the Kolya region of Turkey. The comparison is not without merit – however, Dergin’s steps are faster and more varied than those of the classic Turkish dervishes. As kids in Germany, Dergin and his friends became fascinated with breakdancing. Dergin liked the fact that he didn’t need any kind of formal training to learn to breakdance. He was also drawn to the physically challenging aspects of this new style of expression – the headspins, the jackhammers and, of course, the Worm. A light went on for Dergin when he saw a dance performance on crutches by an L.A.-based artist in the 1984 cult classic film “Breakin’”. Although this part of the movie lasted no more than a few seconds, it was more than enough inspiration. According to Dergin, after seeing this dance sequence, he “never touched the ground again.” In Varekai, Dergin’s character provides inspiration for Icarus to learn how to walk again. In real life, it is Dergin’s sincere hope that his performance will inspire audience members to overcome obstacles that hinder them from realizing their own dreams – even if they manifest themselves as internal mental barriers. When you watch Dergin Tokmak’s uplifting performance in Varekai, you’ll see for yourself that you don’t need wings to fly. Through his performance, Dergin wants to remind the audience that “everything is possible,” and, after experiencing Varekai in its entirety, no matter how jaded or world-weary you may think you are, you would be hard-pressed to deny the truth of this idea.
Cirque du Soleil
Cirque du Soleil flies high as Icarus crashes to Earth >>>
By Everett Evans 1/7/2005
Muscular Dergin Tokmak exhibits virtuosity propelling himself on crutches, inspiring Icarus, whose legs were paralyzed in his fall...
Varekai Review 1
Varekai review >>>
on AOL Citiguide site 9/2004
A unique and stirring dance is performed on crutches by German dancer Dergin Tokmak.
Cirque du Soleil Review 1
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL'S 'VAREKAI' PAYS TRIBUTE TO 'NOMADIC SOUL' >>>
by Cynthia McMullen, Times-Dispatch Staff Writer Richmond (VA) Times Dispatch 9/26/2004
One of the more unusual acts is "Solo on Crutches," wherein Dergin Tokmak uses what look like custom-made (bright blue!) forearm crutches as an extra pair of legs, propelling himself about the stage with abandon.
Cirque du Soleil Review 2
Gravity-Defying Cirque du Soleil >>>
by Ann M. Augherton, Herald Managing Editor www.catholicherald.com 9/23/2004
Dergin Tokmak of Germany, who was stricken with polio at age 1, performs on crutches with amazing strength and balance.
Varekei Review 2
Potomac Stages review of Varekai >>>
9/16/2004
From the sky drops Anton Chelnokov ("Icarus") in a slow-motion descent. He's soon back up in the sky, however, twisting and suspending in the web of a net in a display of gymnastic grace. His discovery of the inhabitants of this fantastical place gives context to the ensuing two and a half hours of visual wonders ranging from twirling dirvish Georgian dancers to a contortionist balancing on canes, a gymnast who makes arm-crutches seem like parallel bars for his routine, jugglers, clowns and tumblers.
About Dergin
By R. J. Donovan On Stage Boston 8/5/2004
Dergin Tokmak offers a masterful solo ballet on crutches
Cirque du Soleil Review 3
Cirque du Soleil shines brightly with its eye-popping Varekai >>>
by Joan Anderman, Globe Staff Writer Boston Globe 8/5/2004
A disabled dancer performs an immensely stirring "Solo on Crutches"
Varekai und Cirque du Soleil 1
Cirque du Soleil's Varekai overwhelms the senses. >>>
by Juliet Wittman Westword.com 6/17/2004
Dergin Tokmak, whose legs were deformed by polio when he was a child, dances and sometimes flies using crutches
from PatteProductions
By Pat Launer www.sdtheatrescene.com 04/07/2004
One of the more surprising acts is that of Dergin Tokmak, a German acrobat who balances on hand-crutches. He seems to be disabled, with legs that swing about like weightless straw limbs. Amazing in itself, but especially in a group that travels the world to seek out perfection. ... His skill on those baby blue crutches is incredible.
Varekai und Cirque du Soleil 2
Cirque du Soleil traveled the world to cast 'Varekai' - and found world-class entertainers >>>
< by Marcia Manna San Diego Union Tribune 3/18/2004
Dergin Tokmak was in Berlin performing as a break dancer when a colleague called him and told him abou the opening for Limping Angel. The "Varekai" character inspires Icarus with a dance on crutches and Tokmak was filled with a mixture of anticipation, hope and nervousness.
"They sent me a tape of the show," he said. "After I saw the crutches number I was more relaxed. I danced my whole life on crutches."
Tokmak contracted polio when he was a baby and spent a lot of time in German hospitals, trying to recover the use of his legs. He said many people develop a skill to survive – his survival skill was learning to walk on his hands. When he was 12, a cousin brought him a video of "Breakin' " featuring a break dancer on crutches. From then on, Tokmak used crutches to dance. By the time he was summoned to Montreal, he had superior upper body strength. In two months, he perfected Limping Angel, a part that took his able-bodied predecessor eight months to master. In his solo dance, he moves crutches and legs simultaneously in a graceful flurry that makes him appear to be flying across the stage.
He said that when he fell during practice, he took it as a sign to give more of himself.
