EXIT ABOVE

In EXIT ABOVE, Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker explores the history of western pop music. Starting with African-American bluesman Robert Johnson, the choreographer, accompanied by singer-songwriter Meskerem Mees, guitarist and producer Jean-Marie Aerts, and dancer and guitarist Carlos Garbin share with us the joy and pain of music that brings us to our feet. A new, unexpected world for the great Belgian choreographer, founder of the company Rosas and of the dance school P.A.R.T.S., invited many times to the Festival, and who this year reprises En Atendant in the Cloître des Célestins… A choreography that develops from the simple movement of walking - an activity that counters the hegemony of functionality and efficiency - and develops in time and space in a stunningly original way. Walking songs, or the union of “If you can’t say it, sing it” and “If you can’t sing it, dance it.”

Interview with Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker

Accessibility: Chill session on 7 July at 6 p.m. to enjoy the show and experience its emotions without fear or constraint, far from the crowds in the city centre.

Created with and danced by Abigail Aleksander, Jean-Pierre Buré, Lav Crnčević, José Paulo Dos Santos, Rafa Galdino, Nina Godderis, Solal Mariotte, Mariana Miranda, Ariadna Navarrete Valverde, Cintia Sebők, Jacob Storer and Carlos Garbin, Meskerem Mees (music)
Choreography Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker
Music Meskerem Mees, Jean-Marie Aerts, Carlos Garbin
Scenography Michel François
Light Max Adams
Costumes Aouatif Boulaich
Text and lyrics Meskerem Mees, Wannes Gyselinck
Opening text Über den Begriff der Geschichte, Thesis IX, by Walter Benjamin
Dramaturgy Wannes Gyselinck
Rehearsal Direction Cynthia Loemij, Clinton Stringer
Artistic Coordination Anne Van Aerschot
Artistic Direction Assistant Martine Lange
Tour Management Bert De Bock
Technical Direction Freek Boey
Technical Direction Assistant Jonathan Maes
Stage Management Jonathan Maes, Quentin Maes, Thibault Rottiers
Sound Designer Alex Fostier
Costume Director Emma Zune assisted by Els Van Buggenhout
Clothes Designer Els Van Buggenhout
Couture Chiara Mazzarolo, Martha Verleyen

Production Rosas
Coproduction Concertgebouw Brugge (Bruges), De Munt - La Monnaie (Brussels), Internationaal Theater Amsterdam, Théâtre Garonne Scène européenne (Toulouse), Gie Fondoc Occitanie (Le Parvis Scène nationale de Tarbes, Scène nationale ALBI Tarn, Le Cratère Scène nationale d’Alès, Scène nationale Grand Narbonne, Théâtre Garonne).
With the support of Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels
Acknowledgements Baptiste Alexandre, Naomie Bentein, Bert De Swert, Michel Dierickx, Steven Fillet, Nicolas Fiszman, Ann-Sofie Merlier, Miet Ongena, Tom Pauwels, Jean-Luc Plouvier, Olivier Thys, Alexandra Verschueren
This production is realised 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 the BNP Paribas Foundation.