Nederlands Dans Theater is very pleased to announce that its associate choreographer Marco Goecke has been nominated for the prestigious Benois de la Danse with his latest work for NDT 2 Wir sagen uns Dunkles.
Paul Lightfoot, artistic director of NDT, says: “Heartfelt congratulations go out today to our Associate Choreographer Marco Goecke and NDT 2 for the nomination of Wir sagen uns Dunkles for the Benois de la Danse. This poetic and imaginative ballet drives into our world at full speed with inexplicable relevance. Such pride that works with such class and integrity can be forged in our creative madhouse…. Bravo Marco!”
The Benois de la Danse is one of the most prestigious ballet competitions. It was founded in 1991 by the International Dance Association in Moscow and takes place annually, usually in Spring time. The jury changes every year and consists of prominent figures from the ballet world. Prizes are awarded in the category of ‘lifelong achievement’, ‘ballerina’, ‘dancer’, ‘choreographer’, ‘composer’ and ‘designer’. This year the award ceremony will take place on June 5, 2018 in the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow.
Wir sagen uns Dunkles premiered on November 4, 2017 in the Zuiderstrandtheater in The Hague. In the piece, the sounds of Schubert and Schnittke meet those of Placebo, The Swan Song and Song To Say Goodbye. Then there are the rattling pants, its sound interfering with the music. Goecke: “The dancers understand me immediately. There is no limit, they want to be challenged.” They move fast, virtuoso, gesticulate in peculiar ways, unconscious yet self-assured in Goecke’s language of movement.
The piece received critical acclaim by the Dutch press. National newspaper de Volkskrant wrote: “Everything vibrates in Wir sagen uns Dunkles. Of sensational excitement. Hands, wrists, shoulders and legs are surrendered to intoxicating fast tremolos.” And: “Limbs move back and forth so fast that the viewer’s eye can hardly keep up. And the exact implementation always makes an indelible impression.” The newspaper awarded the piece with the highest ranking of five stars.
