les ballets C de la B Out of Context--for Pina

"This could be the best production of the season.… Conjures up a new, moving world through dance.… It succeeds in knocking us off our feet."—De Standaard

We are very pleased to launch the dance season with another U.S. premiere from this outstanding company from Ghent, Belgium. Out of Context—for Pina, the latest work by C de la B's Alain Platel, is dedicated to trailblazing dancer and choreographer Pina Bausch—Platel’s friend, mentor, and inspiration—who passed away last year. Many Columbus dance fans have striking memories of the company’s U.S. debut here, back in 1996, with the deeply affecting dance theater work Les Tristeza Complice. Also choreographed by Platel, that piece was set to baroque compositions by Henry Purcell played on ten accordions.

Out of Context furthers Platel's quest to amplify human emotion through body language that combines compression and contortion into a unique physical poetry that mirrors the accelerating anxieties of our time. Nine exquisitely skilled dancers stalk a raw stage to the sound of Glenn Gould's landmark interpretations of Bach's Goldberg Variations, along with music by Ravel and R & B hits. Pianist Glenn Gould was famed for the catalogue of eccentricities and tics that underscored his genius, and serve as a touchstone for the "penetrating portrait of the human condition" that, according to De Morgen, the dancers create. The review concluded: "Platel intertwines impulsive, uncontrolled movements and well-considered gestures into choreography that contains tenderness and desire. Five Stars."

Members at the Sponsor ($250) level and above are eligible for two free tickets to either les ballets C de la B or the Abbey Theatre of Dublin, whose production of Terminus by Mark O'Rowe comes to Thurber Theatre on March 9.

Out of Context—for Pina is a production of les ballets C de la B / Alain Platel. Coproduced by Théâtre de la Ville (Paris), Le Grand Théâtre de Luxembourg, TorinoDanza, Sadler’s Wells (London), Stadsschouwburg Groningen, Tanzkongress 2009/ Kulturstiftung des Bundes, Kaaitheater (Brussels), and Wiener Festwochen.

With thanks to Timur Magomedgadzhiev, Farah Saleh, Quan Bui Ngoc, Juliana Neves, Fabrizio Cassol, Isnel Da Silveira, Berlinde De Bruyckere, and Toneelgroep Ceremonia.

With support from The Flemish authorities, City of Ghent, and Province East Flanders.

Les ballets C de la B is Cultural Ambassador of the UNESCO-IHE, Institute for Water Education.