Two women in white sneakers and dresses dance with breathtaking precision. Fase was Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker’s breakthrough as a choreographer. The four-part early masterpiece remains intact after the many tours from its world premiere in 1982 to the present day. Not only that. Maybe, the Four Movements to the Music of Steve Reich (the piece’s subtitle) have even gained in significance over time. Ultimate dedication is strikingly evident in the assertive demonstration of female self-assurance, the timeless clarity of the movements and the determined elegance with which they are carried out. “Work is always focused play”, says De Keersmaeker. “The notion of rolling up one’s sleeves and the idea that dancing – and working – can give one a certain pleasure has been my guiding idea from the very beginning.” Since then, strength and inventiveness, a sense of seriousness and a deep relationship with music have characterised the work of the Belgian choreographer, who counts among the world’s most influential dance artists today.
Choreography: Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker
Danced by: Laura Bachman, Soa Ratsifandrihana
Created with: Michèle Anne De Mey, Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker
Music: Steve Reich Piano Phase (1967), Come Out (1966), Violin Phase (1967), Clapping Music (1972)
Light: Remon Fromont
Costume 1981: Martine André, Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker
Rehearsal direction: Fumiyo Ikeda
Artistic coordination and planning: Anne Van Aerschot
Assistant to the artistic director: Martine Lange
Technical direction: Freek Boey
Assistance to the technical direction: Jonathan Maes
Technicians: Michael Smets, Frank Verhagen
Costume coordinator ad interim: Emma Zune, supported by Els Van Buggenhout
Sewing: Maria Eva Rodrigues-Reyes, Gisèle Charles
World Premiere: 18 March 1982, Beursschouwburg (Brussels)
Production 1982: Schaamte vzw (Brussels), Avila vzw (Brussels)
Coproduction: De Munt / La Monnaie (Brussels), Sadler’s Wells (London), Les Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg, Théâtre de la Ville (Paris)
Acknowledgements: Ella De Vos, Stefano Scoli
This production is realized with the support of the Tax Shelter of the Belgian Federal Government, in collaboration with Casa Kafka Pictures – Belfius.
Rosas is supported by the Flemish Community, the Flemish Community Commission (VGC), and by the BNP Paribas Foundation.
