Black. Reassuring, encompassing, safe and intimate. This black is pregnant with movement, full and empty at the same time. Powerful, layered. Bodies in chaos. Bodies in fantasy.

In The Black Piece Ann Van den Broek takes audiences on a choreographic quest to find that other black. The black that constantly attracts, demands attention, is intriguing and makes a lasting impression. A group of dancers and a cameraman take spectators into the darkness. The camera divulges and unveils what would otherwise remain unseen and unheard. But at the same time The Black Piece makes you question what you see and makes you ask yourself if what you see is real.

Images, lighting, movement, sounds, the soundscape of Arne Van Dongen, the voice of singer Gregory Frateur (Dez Mona), they all heighten the senses in The Black Piece and subvert expectations.

The Black Piece is the winner of the Dioraphte Dance Award and of the Zwaan (Swan) for the most impressive dance production of the 2014/2015 season. The Swan Award is the most prestigious Dutch dance prize presented by the Dutch Association of Theatre and Concert Hall Directors. Andreas Kuck was nominated for a Zwaan (Swan) for the most impressive achievement in dance for his contribution to the production. Moreover the production was also selected for De Nederlandse Dansdagen (Dutch Dance Festival) as one of the most important productions.

concept and choreography Ann Van den Broek
original cast Louis Combeaud, Jan Deboom, Andreas Kuck, Frauke Mariën, Francesca Monti and others
live camera/lighting design Bernie van Velzen
music Arne Van Dongen
vocal performance Gregory Frateur, recorded by Nicolas Rombouts (aka Dez Mona)
set design Ann Van den Broek, Bernie van Velzen
styling Ann Van den Broek
advice Marc Vanrunxt
photography Maarten Vanden Abeele
premiere September 19, 2014, Korzo theater, The Hague (NL)

The Black Piece is a co-production of WArd/waRD (NL/BE), Korzo Producties (The Hague, NL) and ccBerchem (Antwerp, B). With financial support from the Fonds Podiumkunsten (NL) and the Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds (NL).

“The Black Piece is like a dream filled with meanings that cannot be explained. It is already a highlight of the season.”

– NRC Handelsblad (NL)

“Ann Van den Broek uses pinpoints of light to make visible the tatters of five tormented lives. The chain of associations and emotions that this evokes lends an incredible depth. You want to follow everything, even that which you cannot see.”

– Jury VCSD dance prizes (NL)

“The way Van den Broek forces air between all the layers and creates an overall feeling of freedom is stunning.”

– Trouw (NL)

“Van den Broek displays the kind of sweltering and fierce movements her dance idiom includes.”

– de Volkskrant (NL)