BREL

The starting point for this new creation is a selection of chansons by Jacques Brel. Choreographers Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker and Solal Mariotte come from different generations and each approach dance in their own distinct way. Their connections to Brel also differ. The Brussels-born chansonnier rose to international fame in the 1950s and 60s with powerful, poetic, and often political lyrics that evoke a wide range of emotions. His expressive style and physical presence made him unique: Brel touched his audience in a direct, personal, and almost physical way. His themes—friendship, relationships, social and political shifts—remain relevant, though his songs resonate differently today. What still remains? And how can his chansons and performative energy find new life on stage?
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The challenge lies in embodying Brel’s music in a way that feels both relevant and critically aware. How do you share the stage with someone who remains so powerfully present?

In 2002, De Keersmaeker created Once, a solo set to the music of Joan Baez, in which she responded through movement, voice, and gesture to the emotional force of Baez’s work. In 2023 came EXIT ABOVE, with live songs performed by Meskerem Mees and Carlos Garbin. With BREL, De Keersmaeker and Mariotte continue this trajectory together. Their duet is a search—a reflection on how time shifts the meaning of Brel’s work, and what dance can offer in response today.

Concept, choreography and dance Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker, Solal Mariotte
Songs Jacques Brel
Lighting design Minna Tiikkainen
Lighting design assistance Marla van Kessel
Scenography Michel François
Costumes Aouatif Boulaich
Dramaturgy Wannes Gyselinck
Sound design Alex Fostier
Rehearsal direction and assistants Nina Godderis, Johanne Saunier
Dance research Pierre Bastin

Music research France Brel / Fondation Jacques Brel, Filip Jordens
Video creation Stijn Pauwels
Video editing Lennert De Taeye
Artistic coordination and planning Anne Van Aerschot
Assistant to the artistic direction Martine Lange
Tour manager Angelin Tresy
Technical director Thomas Verachtert
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Assistant technical director Bennert Vancottem
Technicians Pieter Kint, Tom Theunis, Arno Truyens
Costume coordinator Veerle Van den Wouwer
Assistant costume coordinators Chiara Mazzarolo, and/et/en Els Van Buggenhout
Seamstresses Sylvie Borremans, Lisa Fayt, Francesca Pisano
General management Lies Martens
Distribution Frans Brood Productions
Production Rosas
Co-production Concertgebouw Brugge, L’Intime Festival de Namur, Grec Festival (Barcelona), ImpulsTanz (Vienna), La Comédie de Clermont-Ferrand, La Comète Chalons-en-Champagne, La Monnaie / De Munt, Piccolo Teatro di Milano – Teatro d’Europa, Théâtre de la Ville (Paris)

With the support of Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels.

This production is made possible with the support of the Tax Shelter of the Belgian Federal Government via Casa Kafka Pictures.
Rosas is supported by the Flemish Community and the Flemish Community Commission (VGC).