Dancing at Dusk
A moment with Pina Bausch’s The Rite of SpringPresented by Pina Bausch Foundation, École des Sables
and Sadler’s Wells
More Digital Stage
In this stunning film, Pina Bausch’s iconic choreography The Rite of Spring is danced in an extraordinary setting, on the beach in Toubab Dialaw, Senegal.
Filmed in 2020 as the world descended into lockdown, it captures the last rehearsal of a specially assembled company of 38 dancers from 14 African countries and documents a unique moment in their preparations for an international tour. A rare opportunity to watch one of the world’s greatest dance works.
Dancing at Dusk returns to Digital Stage in celebration of the The Rite of Spring/common ground[s] performances at Sadler’s Wells (6 – 10 Nov 2024) and will be available to watch until 29 November 2024.
How Dancing at Dusk was made
Dancing at Dusk was first shown on Sadler’s Wells Digital Stage in July 2020. That year Pina Bausch’s 1975 seminal work, The Rite of Spring, was due to tour the world. Performed by a specially assembled company of 38 dancers from 14 African countries, this international co-production between Sadler’s Wells (UK), Pina Bausch Foundation (Germany), and École des Sables (Senegal), should have opened in March 2020 in Dakar as part of a double-bill with a new work created and performed by Malou Airaudo and Germaine Acogny, common ground[s]. However, just days before the premiere, performances were cancelled as governments around the world banned public gatherings and began shutting their borders due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Before disbanding and going into lockdown, the company seized the moment by performing a last rehearsal on a beach near their base at École des Sables in Senegal. Filmmaker Florian Heinzen-Ziob and his crew were able to capture this unique moment in a stunning film.
The Rite of Spring / common ground[s] went on to premiere on 23 September 2021 in Madrid, followed by an international tour to several countries in Europe, North America and Australia. The show will now be returning to Sadler’s Wells.
Behind the scenes of common ground[s]
No Space for Age
Ahead of their performance of common ground[s], join icons of the dance world Malou Airaudo and Germaine Acogny in this fly on the wall documentary, proving that dance has no age limit.
Cast and creative credits
Dancers
Rodolphe Allui,Sahadatou Ami Touré, Anique Ayiboe, D’Aquin Evrard Élisée Bekoin, Gloria Ugwarelojo Biachi, Khadija Cisse, Sonia Zandile Constable, Rokhaya Coulibaly, Astou Diop, Serge Arthur Dodo, Estelle Foli, Aoufice Junior Gouri, Luciény Kaabral, Zadi Landry Kipre, Bazoumana Kouyaté, Babacar Mané, Vasco Pedro Mirine, Stéphanie Mwamba, Florent Nikiéma, Shelly Ohene-Nyako, Brian Otieno Oloo, Harivola Rakotondrasoa, Oliva Randrianasolo (Nanie), Asanda Ruda III, Tom Jules Samie, Amy Collé Seck, Pacôme Landry Seka, Gueassa Eva Sibi, Carmelita Siwa, Armel Gnago Sosso-Ny, Amadou Lamine Sow, Aziz Zoundi
Further company dancers
Korotimi Barro, Inas Dasylva, Franne Christie Dossou, Profit Lucky, Vuyo Mahashe, Didja Kady Tiemanta
Film production
Director and Editor: Florian Heinzen-Ziob
Cinematographer & Colour Correction: Enno Endlicher
Sound Recording & Sound Design: Armin Badde
Music courtesy of Boosey & Hawkes Music Publishers Limited
Production: polyphem Filmproduktion
2020 Restaging
Artistic Directors: Josephine Ann Endicott, Jorge Puerta Armenta
Rehearsal Directors: Clémentine Deluy, Çağdaş Ermiş, DittaMiranda Jasjfi, Barbara Kaufmann, Julie Shanahan, Kenji Takagi
The Rite of Spring
Choreography: Pina Bausch
Music: Igor Stravinsky
Set and Costume Design: Rolf Borzik
Collaboration: Hans Pop
World Premiere 3 December 1975, Opera House Wuppertal, Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch.
Dancing at Dusk – A moment with Pina Bausch’s The Rite of Spring is produced by Pina Bausch Foundation, École des Sables and Sadler’s Wells.
Filmed before social distancing requirements were in place.