Memory Loss is the third and final production in Ann Van den Broek’s triptych, The Memory Loss Collection. In Memory Loss the two previous creations, Blueprint on Memory and Zooming in on Loss, come together and create new elements which culminate in the conclusion of the triptych. In an interactive setting the fifteen performers lose their own self. The spoken word, movement, music and technology are mixed into a game of reality and illusion.
The process is irreversible. Imprisoned in the space and the brain. All the things one holds on to fade away and the remaining signals point to dark passages. In the darkness all connections to the material world and all memories seep away. The ultimate loss of self. Lovingly and cruel. A bitter reality where nobody comes out the same.
Memory Loss is nominated by the VSCD (Association of Theater and Music Hall Directors) for a Zwaan (Swan) for the most impressive dance production, the most prestigious Dutch dance prize.
“Memory Loss is an all-encompassing tour the force seething with buried emotions (…) Ann Van den Broek finds a terribly beautiful form for a terribly cruel disease.” (de Volkskrant ★★★★★)
The Memory Loss Collection
In The Memory Loss Collection Ann Van den Broek delves into the topic of memory loss. This project is made up of three productions, a film, workshops, introductions and links to social organizations. Memory Loss is the final production in the series that also consists of Blueprint on Memory and Zooming in on Loss.
concept, choreography and directed Ann Van den Broek
original cast Ann Van den Broek, Frauke Mariën, Louis Combeaud, Nik Rajšek, Marion Bosetti, Jean-Gabriel Maury, Carla Guerra, Kamil Pilarski, An Hackselmans, Anthony van Gog, Aryeh Weiner, Iuri Costa, Isaiah Selleslaghs, Gabrielle Aidulis, Maxime Abbenhues, Samina de Wulf / Karlijn Roest
music composition Nicolas Rombouts, Gregory Frateur, Ann Van den Broek
lyrics Gregory Frateur
video and lighting design Bernie van Velzen
set design Niek Kortekaas
styling costumes Marielle Vos, Ann Van den Broek
artistic assistance Gregory Frateur
source material ‘Brein en Branie: Een pionier in Alzheimer’, Prof. Christine Van Broeckhoven and ‘Verdwaald in het geheugen Paleis: Hoe te leven met dementie’, Nathalie Carpentier
photography Rio Staelens
premiere January 17, 2020, Theater Rotterdam, Rotterdam (NL)
Memory Loss is a WArd/waRD (NL/BE) production, supported by the Fondation d’entreprise Hermès (FR) whitin the framework of the New Settings programme and co-produced by partners Theater Rotterdam (NL) and ccBerchem (BE), as well as Theater Freiburg (THE), Podium Bloos (NL) and La Briquetterie (FR). The project has received grants from the Fonds Podiumkunsten (NL), Gemeente Rotterdam (NL), Ammodo (NL), Stichting Dioraphte (NL) and Fonds21 (NL).
WArd/waRD
| Date | City | Venue | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29 Oct 2021 | Memory Loss | Antwerpen (BE), Bourlaschouwburg | |
| 14 Oct 2021 | Memory Loss | Arnhem (NL), Stadstheater | |
| 12 Oct 2021 | Memory Loss | Den Bosch (NL), Theater aan de Parade | |
| 09 Oct 2021 | Memory Loss | Heerlen (NL), Parkstad Limburg Theaters | |
| 30 Sep 2021 | Memory Loss | Eindhoven (NL), Parktheater | |
| 24 Sep 2021 | Memory Loss | Parijs (FR), Théâtre de la Cité (New Settings programme) | |
| 23 Sep 2021 | Memory Loss | Parijs (FR), Théâtre de la Cité (New Settings programme) | |
| 22 Sep 2021 | Memory Loss | Parijs (FR), Théâtre de la Cité (New Settings programme) | |
| 14 Nov 2020 | Memory Loss | Parijs (FR), Théâtre de la Cité (New Settings programme) – cancelled | |
| 13 Nov 2020 | Memory Loss | Parijs (FR), Théâtre de la Cité (New Settings programme) – cancelled | |
| 12 Nov 2020 | Memory Loss | Parijs (FR), Théâtre de la Cité (New Settings programme) – cancelled | |
| 03 Mar 2020 | Memory Loss | Amsterdam (NL), ITA | |
| 26 Feb 2020 | Memory Loss | Drachten (NL), Schouwburg De Lawei | |
| 25 Feb 2020 | Memory Loss | Nijmegen (NL), Stadsschouwburg Nijmegen | |
| 11 Feb 2020 | Memory Loss | Haarlem (NL), Toneelschuur | |
| 05 Feb 2020 | Memory Loss | Utrecht (NL), Stadsschouwburg Utrecht | |
| 25 Jan 2020 | Memory Loss | Freiburg (DE), Theater Freiburg | |
| 18 Jan 2020 | Memory Loss | Rotterdam (NL), TR Schouwburg | |
| 17 Jan 2020 | Memory Loss | Rotterdam (NL), TR Schouwburg – première NL | |
| 10 Jan 2020 | Memory Loss | Breda (NL), Podium Bloos – try-out |
“Memory Loss is a personal document: sincere and moving. Cruel and loving.”
– Jury VCSD dance prizes (NL)
“Ann Van den Broek finds a terribly beautiful form for a terribly cruel disease.”
– de Volkskrant (NL)
“In Memory Loss, Ann van den Broek mercilessly confronts its viewers with the hopelessness of Alzheimer’s or another form of memory loss, and the powerless position of their loved ones.”
– Theaterkrant (NL)
“With Memory Loss, Ann Van den Broek closes the trilogy about Alzheimer’s / dementia. In the latter part, she is unusually direct.”
– NRC (NL)
“In the last part I wanted to be very direct: BAM – this is the problem.”
– Ann Van den Broek in Trouw (NL)
“It sounds weird, but sometimes I tell dancers to forget everything they learned.”
– Ann Van den Broek in interview with Ammoda (NL)