A production by les ballets C de la B in co-production with Théâtre de la Ville (Paris),
Le Grand Théâtre de Luxembourg, TorinoDanza, Sadler’s Wells (London), Stadsschouwburg
Groningen, Tanzkongress 2009 / Kulturstiftung des Bundes, Kaaitheater (Brussels)

13 and 14 August – 8 p.m., Werkstatt Bühne

"The scene is a place of urgency and the body / bodies in ecstasy," the choreographer Alain Platel writes about his new production. "One of the themes that has figured prominently in my work in recent years is that of the body in a state of hysteria. I am not referring to the medical condition of hysteria, but instead to a kind of oversensitivity to life.

Whenever words are no longer capable of expressing our deepest feelings, our body takes over. I have been working with dancers to develop a body language that is based precisely on this principle. Because that's probably what dance has been from the beginning: a physical translation of extreme emotions.

Fear of the discomfort of those who witness a body in such a state is very great. And yet I believe it's a positive experience to observe this state closely. It puts us in a position to be able to understand this very special form of behaviour, just like other forms of strange – extreme and provocative – behaviour which are all part of our human selves."

Ticket price: EUR 26

Alain Platel

The choreographer and dancer Alain Platel brings on to the stage things that don't seem to belong together, and in his choreography he repeatedly blurs the boundaries between dance, theatre, music and the plastic and graphic arts. Platel was born in Ghent, Belgium, in 1956. His first training was in remedial education and for five years he was involved in teaching severely handicapped children. In 1984, he founded the dance collective les ballets C de la B with other stage directors and choreographers. He achieved his international breakthrough four years later with the production Lets op Bach. His most important works include Wolf (2003), Allemaal Indiaan (1999), La Tristezza Complice (1995) and Bonjour Madame (1993). In 2004, Platel was awarded the European Theatre Prize for life-time achievement.

"Platel combines the graphic style of social reportage with the silliness of a children's birthday party and brings together the many stories like a circus juggler" (Berliner Zeitung).