Achterland

Achterland (1990) is a seminal choreography in Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker’s oeuvre. This was the first dance material that she wrote specifically for men. For this production, three male dancers joined Rosas, which had previously been a predominantly female company. The minimalism and prevalent femininity of Rosas’ early pieces gave way to an ambiguous no-man’s-land in which boundaries and symbols were blurred. In Achterland, young girls dress up in suits, women in men’s suits, while young men eagerly imitate the dancing women. Györgi Ligeti’s and Eugène Ysaÿe’s imbues the production with a playful-virtuoso atmosphere. The violinist and pianist onstage not only interpret the score, but also play an active role in the dancing – an approach that De Keersmaeker would repeat in many subsequent projects. Last season, the reprise of Achterland starring a new generation of Rosas dancers made a tremendous impression: don’t miss this opportunity to see it again.

choreography: Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker // stage direction: Jean Luc Ducourt // danced by (alternating): Laura Bachman, Lav Crnčević, Léa Dubois, José Paulo dos Santos, Anika Edström Kawaji, Bilal El Had, Frank Gizycki, Robin Haghi, Yuika Hashimoto, Laura Maria Poletti, Soa Ratsifandrihana, Luka Švajda // created in 1990 with: Nordine Benchorf, Bruce Campbell, Vincent Dunoyer, Fumiyo Ikeda, Marion Levy, Nathalie Million, Carlotta Sagna, Johanne Saunier // music : György Ligeti, 8 Études for piano solo (Désordre, Cordes à vide, Touches bloquées, Fanfares, Arc-en-ciel, Automne à Varsovie, Galamb Borong, Fém), Eugène Ysaÿe, Sonatas 2, 3 & 4 for solo violin // musicians: piano Wilhem Latchoumia, Joonas Ahonen, violin Juan María Braceras, Naaman Sluchin // set Herman Sorgeloos // lighting design Jean Luc Ducourt // costumes Ann Weckx // rehearsal director Fumiyo Ikeda // assistants for the revival Nordine Benchorf, Johanne Saunier, Fumiyo Ikeda, Vincent Dunoyer // artistic coordination and planning Anne Van Aerschot // technical director Joris De Bolle | sound Alexandre Fostier / Antoine Delagoutte //costumes coordinator Heide Vanderieck // sewing Charles Gysèle // wardrobe Ella De Vos / Emma Zune / Ester Manas // technicians Max Adams, Jonathan Maes, Quentin Maes, Michael Smets // special thanks to Bruce Campbell // production Rosas // co-production 1990 Kaaitheater, De Munt/La Monnaie, Stichting Van Gogh 1990, Rotterdamse Schouwburg, Théâtre de la Ville // world premiere 27 November 1990, La Monnaie/De Munt

Rosas is supported by the Flemish Community and by the BNP Paribas Foundation