Quartet with One started back in 1988. Ann Van den Broek and Sophie Janssens get to know each other at the Rotterdam Dance Academy. After graduation they each go their own way, but years later their paths cross again. Two women with the same foundation, but from totally different backgrounds – both in character and in dance idiom they are each other’s opposites. In Quartet with One both women, armed with their musician of choice, face off once again.
The theme of Quartet with One is distance. Two dancers, a pianist and a drummer; from Antwerp, Amsterdam and Montréal conquer the physical distance. However, the emotional distance remains. In the space, the four are apart most of the time. A grand piano, a drum kit: contrasts such as rhythm versus melody, meter versus phrasing, the deep, low sounds of the drums versus the high-pitched sound of the piano. At the same time the dance styles of the two dancers clash as well: fragile and lyrical versus powerful and compact.
Quartet with One was selected for the Serie Nieuwe Theatermakers (New Makers for the Stage Series) of the Dutch Theater Institute.
choreography Ann Van den Broek
dance Ann Van den Broek, Sophie Janssens
music Rex Lobo (piano), Yvon Plouffe (percussion)
soundscape Luther Van Hoof, Peter De Ceulaer
lighting design Peter Lemmens
rehearsel director Cathy Dekker
photography Quirine Reijman
premiere November 16, 2002, Theater a/h Spui, The Hague (NL)
Quartet with One is a production of WArd/waRD (BE) and is co-produced by Korzo productions (The Hague, NL), with financial support of the City of Antwerp (BE) and Conseil des Arts Canada (CA), with additional support of WP Zimmer (Antwerp, BE) and the Flemish Ministry of Cultural Development (BE).
WArd/waRD
| Date | City | Venue | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 Jan 2004 | Quartet with One | Amersfoort (NL), Theater De Lieve Vrouw | |
| 29 Jan 2004 | Quartet with One | Den Haag (NL), Korzo | |
| 28 Jan 2004 | Quartet with One | Leiden (NL), LAKtheater | |
| 23 Jan 2004 | Quartet with One | Breda (NL), Chassé Theater | |
| 21 Jan 2004 | Quartet with One | Nijmegen (NL), LUX | |
| 19 Jan 2004 | Quartet with One | Amsterdam (NL), Theater Bellevue | |
| 15 Jan 2004 | Quartet with One | Leeuwarden (NL), Theater Romein | |
| 13 Jan 2004 | Quartet with One | IJmuiden (NL), Witte Theater | |
| 06 Jan 2004 | Quartet with One | Groningen (NL), Kruithuis | |
| 27 Oct 2003 | Quartet with One | Eindhoven (NL), Plaza Futura | |
| 22 Oct 2003 | Quartet with One | Arnhem (NL), Schouwburg Arnhem | |
| 18 Oct 2003 | Quartet with One | Roeselare (BE), CC De Spil | |
| 17 Oct 2003 | Quartet with One | Haarlem (NL), Toneelschuur | |
| 15 Oct 2003 | Quartet with One | Antwerpen (BE), ccBerchem | |
| 22 Feb 2003 | Quartet with One | Halle (BE), cc ‘t Vondel | |
| 13 Feb 2003 | Quartet with One | Tilburg (NL), Theater De Vorst | |
| 08 Dec 2002 | Quartet with One | Montréal (CA), Théatre Tangente | |
| 07 Dec 2002 | Quartet with One | Montréal (CA), Théatre Tangente | |
| 06 Dec 2002 | Quartet with One | Montréal (CA), Théatre Tangente | |
| 05 Dec 2002 | Quartet with One | Montréal (CA), Théatre Tangente | |
| 17 Nov 2002 | Quartet with One | Den Haag (NL), Theater aan het Spui / CaDance | |
| 16 Nov 2002 | Quartet with One | Den Haag (NL), Theater aan het Spui / CaDance – première |
“Throughout this crystal-clear duet there is also a sophisticated live dialogue between drums and piano. In this universe of music and dance the two opposites attract each other forcefully.”
– NRC Handelsblad (NL)
“A very beautiful, powerful, sensual and original piece that leaves you with images and sounds that reverberate long after the performance. A young, subtle choreographer to keep an eye on.”
– La Presse Montréal (CA)