The Balancing Act (2023)

The Balancing Act

After dark themes and extreme exuberant emotions in Ohm and Joy Enjoy Joy, Ann Van den Broek searches for a poise with The Balancing Act. Balance in body, in mind, in daily life and in her choreographic work.

As the Flemish choreographer highlighted deep emotions and dark theme’s that are very close to her, it is now time to find rest in a balanced center. This search translates to a very levelled performance. It undulates in flowing movements into an almost meditative trans. At the same time, this balance seems to be something that’s never really graspable. It’s almost falling, getting yourself together, and going on. The balance is so precarious that it seems elusive.

With The Balancing Act Ann Van den Broek again experiments with live video images and sound- and light effects. As we often see in her work, roles between dancer and musician fade. The performers manipulate sound, light and images with music pedals. Looking for the right volume, a good sharpness or a beautiful light in which life can be experienced. It creates a lively, installation-like setting along the boundaries of dance and performance.

For The Balancing Act Ann Van den Broek once more studied and researched the human body in great detail. The body as a scale. Everything working together. Every joint, every muscle. Just to not fall. Besides the physical balance, Van den Broek gets inspiration by our pursuit of a life in balance.

concept and choreography Ann Van den Broek  
performers a.o. Louis Combeaud, Nik Rajšek, Jean-Gabriel Maury, Marion Bosetti, Carla Guerra, Kamil Pilarski
music Nicolas Rombouts 
pre-recorded voice Gregory Frateur 
video- and lighting design Bernie van Velzen 
scenography Ann Van den Broek  
styling costumes Ann Van den Broek in collaboration with Marielle Vos 
photography Rio Staelens
premiere October 4, 2023, Theater Rotterdam, Rotterdam (NL)

The Balancing Act by WArd/waRD is produced in partnership with Theater Rotterdam (NL) and Le Lieu Unique in Nantes (FR) and is financially supported by Fonds Podiumkunsten (NL) and Gemeente Rotterdam (NL).

WArd/waRD

Date City Venue
04 Oct 2023 The Balancing Act Rotterdam (NL), TR Schouwburg – première
05 Oct 2023 The Balancing Act Rotterdam (NL), TR Schouwburg
06 Oct 2023 The Balancing Act Den Haag (NL), Korzo
09 Oct 2023 The Balancing Act Amsterdam (NL), ITA Tickets
12 Oct 2023 The Balancing Act Tilburg (NL), De Nieuwe Vorst Tickets
20 Oct 2023 The Balancing Act Utrecht (NL), Stadsschouwburg Utrecht Tickets
24 Oct 2023 The Balancing Act Delft (NL), Theater de Veste
27 Oct 2023 The Balancing Act Breda (NL), Chassé Theater Tickets
03 Nov 2023 The Balancing Act Haarlem (NL), Schuur
04 Nov 2023 The Balancing Act Haarlem (NL), Schuur
09 Nov 2023 The Balancing Act Drachten (NL), Schouwburg De Lawei Tickets
10 Nov 2023 The Balancing Act Groningen (NL), Grand Theatre
29 Nov 2023 The Balancing Act Heerlen (NL), Parkstad Limburg Theaters Tickets

“In The Balacing Act I am going to search for balance. Balance in life, balance in how to deal with time, balance between all kinds of emotions… and the physical balance.”

– Ann Van den Broek
The Balancing Act (2023)