EXIT ABOVE

EXIT ABOVE after the tempest / nach dem Sturm

Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker retraces her steps towards the origins of her artistic work, to the roots of western pop music, looking for the points at which they intersect. My walking is my dancing, that has been true since her earliest works. So, her choreographies develop from simple motor sequences to spatial and physical complexity. Her new work uses Robert Johnson’s song Walking Blues, even if the journey goes back to Schubert’s Der Wanderer in the 19^th century. Singer-songwriter Meskerem Mees composes with Jean-Marie Aerts, the sound architect behind 1980’s Belgian rock formation TC Matic, and dancer and guitarist Carlos Gabin, writing a series of variations and adaptations of walking songs, to be performed live on stage.

EXIT ABOVE examines the tension between marching together and opting out, between a romantic idealisation of hiking and the political potential that may unfold when people with shared issues simply walk alongside each other. The act of walking is contrary to the dominance of functionality and efficiency. It is an effort that brings about nothing but the passing of time and the crossing of space. Walking also produces thoughts and memories that show how much of a landscape our inner world is, too – a landscape that can often only be traversed by foot.

Duration: 90 min.

Please note:
There is a moment of nudity in the show and some sexually suggestive moments (clothed).

Workshop highlight:
In addition to the performance we are offering a masterclass with Clinton Stringer, rehearsal director of Rosas on Wed 08 Nov 2023 from 10:30 - 12:30. Info & registration HERE.

Interview
In our series "Backstage with..." there are always interviews with people who perform at the tanzhaus nrw. Read more about the development of EXIT ABOVE after the tempest / nach dem Sturm in the interview with Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker Meskerem Mees and Jean-Marie Aerts. You can find the full interview HERE.