The Rite of Spring / common ground[s] arrives at Sadler’s Wells Theatre this November following sell-out runs and international acclaim throughout its world tour. In celebration of the production, the world premiere of Pina Bausch Foundation’s sound installation BREATH is presented in the Lilian Baylis Studio, and the film Dancing at Dusk – A Moment with Pina Bausch’s The Rite of Spring, returns to Sadler’s Wells Digital Stage, both of which can be enjoyed for free.
The idea of ‘exchange’ is central in this two-part programme which marks the first collaboration between the Pina Bausch Foundation (Germany), École des Sables (Senegal), the international centre for traditional and contemporary African dance, and Sadler’s Wells (UK). Following performances across North America, Australia, Asia, and Europe, the iconic double bill plays for the first time together at Sadler’s Wells from Wednesday 6 November – Sunday 10 November, after its original run was impacted by COVID.
Bausch’s (1975) The Rite of Spring is danced by a specially assembled company of dancers from 13 African countries. In this pioneering work, with music by Stravinsky, a ‘chosen one’ is sacrificed changing the season from winter to spring.
common ground[s] is a new work created, performed and inspired by the lives of two remarkable women: Germaine Acogny, “the mother of contemporary African dance” and founder of École des Sables and Malou Airaudo who joined Bausch in the early days of Tanztheater Wuppertal and later was a professor and director at Folkwang University of the Arts.
This work, created and performed by these remarkable women – both choreographers, professors, mothers and grandmothers – reflects their histories, emotional experiences and common ground. common ground[s] was performed earlier this year at Sadler’s Wells Theatre as part of the Elixir Festival, a series of performances, workshops, talks, and films that challenge perceptions around dance and ageing.
This run at Sadler’s Wells Theatre also marks common ground[s] final performances.
