Föld (1985)

Föld, or “Earth” in Hungarian”, was produced in 1985 for the Holland Festival. Considered by many as a highlight of the festival at the time, the production has over the years grown to be a popular and timeless classic of Dutch modern dance.

The décor is made up of an elevated, circular earthen bank on which the dancers engage in a true battle for survival, attempting to fight their way “out” with enormous physical effort. The dancers’ strenuous physical exertions can be seen as a metaphor for the battle against matter and for survival. The choreography is set to “Another Look at Harmony Part 4” by Philip Glass.

Play list:
12 October 2005 – 20 January 2005 on tour

Concave (1993)

Being trapped – in one’s own body or in surroundings that restrict one’s freedom – is a recurring theme in Krisztina de Châtel’s work. In Concave three men are trapped behind the bars of two large metal balls. Three women dance around the balls. They seem to be free, but they too are tied: hand in hand they move according to strict spatial patterns.  The separation between men and women seems to evoke a natural tension. And then there is a drum roll, that grows constantly louder. The women move more freely and the men escape from the balls. But are they really free or will they once again have to subjugate themselves?

Play list:
Première: 2 March, Toneelschuur Haarlem 24 February 2006 –
28 April 2006: Theatre tour

Inc.

The choreographer Krisztina de Châtel regularly gives young, talented choreographers a chance to work with her company. In recent years Sjoerd Vreugdenhil, Mauricio de Oliveira, Neel Verdoorn, Ann Van den Broek and Dylan Newcomb were invited as guest choreographers, a formula which has proven to be a great success. The creators work with outstanding dancers, a unique opportunity for them to optimally deploy their talents.

This time Krisztina de Châtel has invited four choreographers, young people with diverging views and dance styles. Jens van Daele is a dancer and a dance maker. He has danced for Introdans, Connie Janssen Danst, Rogie & Company and Club guy & roni among others and has been making his own choreographies since 1999. De Châtel was attracted by his dynamism and rawness. Nora Heilmann and Inari Salmivaara both trained at the School for New Dance Development in Amsterdam, which has given them a distinctive approach. They combine research into movement patterns and personal experience with their own social vision. Finally Krisztina de Châtel gives Massimo Molinari, one of her leading dancers, the opportunity to further develop as a choreographer. Krisztina de Châtel is actively involved in the development of the choreographies.

Play list:
Première: 6 May Theater Kikker Utrecht 5-28 May 2006: Theatre tour

Tando

“Sober, austere, compact and rhythmical. That is what immediately struck me when I saw the dance company Salia nï Seydou from Burkina Faso. They reminded me of my own vision on dance,” says Krisztina de Châtel. The meeting with the Salia nï Seydou company led her to propose a co-production. The performance Tando will première during Julidans 2006. The choreographers Krisztina de Châtel, Salia Sanou and Seydou Boro work together on an equal footing so that both de Châtel’s distinctive style and African influences will be recognisable in the choreography. In December 2005 de Châtel traveled to Burkina Faso with her dancers to research African culture and dance styles. The three choreographers established the basic concepts for their joint production, which will be truely developed in June 2006 in Amsterdam.

Play list:
Première: Julidans 2006 Amsterdam
November 2006: theatre tour in the Netherlands