A group of dancers: different egos and yet they form a unit. The urge to express themselves and to connect controls them. On stage everything is possible; it is a powerful place. A sense of dread befalls them. Action and withdrawal, strength and weakness, confrontation and alienation. Their attempt to communicate is failing. The repercussions of non-communication. Bodies under scrutiny. Bodies in ignominy.

This choreography by Ann Van den Broek is a masculine piece of work. We Solo Men deals with the conflict between on the one hand the desire to entertain and the inability to communicate on the other. The cry for attention becomes a cry of desperation. We Solo Men is an entertaining and, in the end, a lonely sketch.

Ann Van den Broek has created a rhythmic composition made up of sounds, words, movement and body language aimed at connecting with the audience. Arne van Dongen has created another composition for Van den Broek, which will be performed and adapted live on stage based on the sounds produced by the dancers. The set is designed by Niek Kortekaas; the lighting design by Bernie van Velzen.

We Solo Men was selected for De Nederlandse Dansdagen (Dutch Dance Days) as one of the most important productions of the 2009/2010 season.

“In short, We Solo Men is well though-out and fleshed-out. It takes hold of the audience and does not let go.” (NRC Handelsblad)

“Strong points of the piece are the tightly orchestrated, rudimentary movements. (…) The distinctive soundscape of stuttered words and drummed applause is extraordinary as well.” (de Volkskrant)

CREDITS

concept and choreography Ann Van den Broek
original cast Jan Deboom, Jan Martens, Andreas Kuck, Cecilia Moisio, Judit Ruiz Onandi, Dario Tortorelli
music composition Arne Van Dongen
set design Niek Kortekaas
lighting design Bernie van Velzen
styling costumes Ann Van den Broek
advice Marc Vanrunxt
make-up artist Jos Brands
sign language coach Marie De Corte
photography Maarten Vanden Abeele
premiere July 5, 2009, Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam, Amsterdam (NL)

International bookings: Line Rousseau & Marion Gauvent, A propic

We Solo Men is a co-production of Stichting WArd/waRD (NL), vzw WArd/waRD (B), Korzo Productions (The Hague, NL) and ccBerchem (Antwerp, B), with the financial support of the Dutch Fund for the Performing Arts and the Government of Flanders.