David Dawson

Overture

World première: 15 June 2013
Dutch National Ballet Het Muziektheater, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Choreography, Concept and Staging David Dawson
Music Szymon Brzóska
Set Design and Video Projection Eno Henze
Costume Design Yumiko Takeshima
Light Design Bert Dalhuysen
Assistants to the Choreographer
Tim Couchman / Charlotte Chapellier

Inspired by “The Four Quartets” by T.S. Eliot and its concept of the timelessness of the universe and the place of human beings in it, OVERTURE conveys many layers of meaning, which are translated in a striking unity. This work is constructed as a dance-umentary about humanity, our place within the universe, connection with everything around us, and our relationships toward to each other.

Created during the year of the 100th anniversary of “Sacre du Printemps”, Dawson wanted to pay his tribute to the great masterpiece, and OVERTURE became the preparation to become the chosen one, like a prequel or sequel to the actual day of the ritual, which is the Rite of Spring.

OVERTURE is a journey through the different stages of personal relationships, the relationship of an individual to his/her society, and our relationship towards the ever growing technology we live with. Beginnings become endings, and endings turn once again into beginnings. Plus and minus. Ying and yang. Warm and cold. Chaos and order. Love, joy and reconciliation versus farewells, rejections, pain.

Through the movement, Dawson creates images that reflect those transformations within nature’s circle, the circle of life, connecting with people of today who share the experience of the present world with him.

Igone De Jongh - day4 - Dutch National Ballet - photo © Marc Haegeman
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