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Kontakthof - Echoes of ’78 - Pina Bausch

Conceived and directed by Meryl Tankard - A Sadler’s Wells, Pina Bausch Foundation and Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch production
Wed 15 Oct - Sat 18 Oct
Wed 15 Oct ’25
-
Sat 18 Oct ’25
  • Wed 15 Oct ’25
    19:45
    Danstheater
    Tickets
  • Thu 16 Oct ’25
    19:45
    Danstheater
    Tickets
  • Sat 18 Oct ’25
    19:45
    Danstheater
    Tickets

After the great success of The Rite of Spring in 2023, Amare sought a way to showcase more exceptional works by Pina Bausch in The Hague. Kontakthof - Echoes of ’78 is the result.

Kontakthof - Echoes of ’78 is a new piece by dancer and choreographer Meryl Tankard. It is based on Pina Bausch’s legendary Kontakthof from 1978, one of the most important works in Bausch’s repertoire (1940-2009). Now, 45 years later, Tankard has created a new interpretation of this iconic piece with part of the original cast from 1978.

Tankards eenvoudige, maar geniale idee – het samenbrengen van toen en nu, film en live theater – geeft nieuw inzicht in Bausch’ werk.

Wiebke Hüster - Frankfurter Allgemeine

Kontakthof from 1978 is one of the most important works in Pina Bausch’s repertoire. She created it during a period when her Tanztheater Wuppertal was beginning to gain international recognition. While developing the original production, Pina Bausch often spoke of her desire to see the original cast perform the same choreography at a later age. Now, 45 years later, dancer and choreographer Meryl Tankard — who played a leading role both in 1978 and in this new version — has brought that vision to life.

Nine of the original dancers return to their roles, performing in the original set and with the original music. Kontakthof - Echoes of ’78 incorporates projections of archival footage from their performances as young dancers, as well as images of performers who are no longer present on stage. These black-and-white projections offer a poignant window into the past and present, evoking recognition, nostalgia, emotion, and at times, humor.

The stage design is the original creation of scenographer Rolf Borzik, who passed away in 1980. He envisioned Kontakthof in a dance hall with a tiny stage and a few chairs along the side. The music consists of pre-war schlager songs, filled with longing and melancholy. It is a setting where people meet, connect, dance, and explore one another’s emotions.

Cloakroom and drink 
Cloakroom and an intermission drink are included. If the event does not have an intermission, you will receive the drink afterwards. 

Part of

Ooievaarspas discount 
Ooievaarspas holders are eligible for a discount on the ticket price for this concert. To book tickets, we need to see your Ooievaarspas for registration purposes. Please contact our booking office to book your tickets. 

Credits

Concept and Choreography: Meryl Tankard
Dancers: Elisabeth Clarke, Josephine Ann Endicott, Lutz Förster, John Giffin, Ed Kortlandt, Beatrice Libonati, Anne Martin, Arthur Rosenfeld, Meryl Tankard

Kontakthof – Echoes of ’78 is a production by Sadler’s Wells, the Pina Bausch Foundation, and Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch. The co-producers are Amare The Hague, LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura, Festspielhaus St. Pölten, Seongnam Arts Center, and the China Shanghai International Arts Festival.

The project is supported as part of the preparations for the Pina Bausch Center, with funding from the German Federal Government, the Ministry of Culture and Science of North Rhine-Westphalia, and the City of Wuppertal.

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Kontakthof - Echoes of ’78 is een nieuw werk van danseres en choreograaf Meryl Tankard, gebaseerd op Pina Bausch’ legendarische Kontakthof uit 1978. Nu, 45 jaar later, is een nieuwe interpretatie van dit iconische stuk gecreëerd met een deel van de oorspronkelijke cast uit 1978.
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