Dancing At Dusk

A moment with Pina Bausch's The Rite of Spring

In this stunning film, Pina Bausch’s iconic choreography The Rite of Spring is danced in an extraordinary setting, on the beach in Toubab Dialaw, Senegal.

In spring 2020, Pina Bausch's 1975 seminal work, The Rite of Spring, was due to tour the world. Performed by a specially assembled company of 38 dancers from 14 African countries, this international co-production between Sadler’s Wells (UK), Pina Bausch Foundation (Germany), and École des Sables (Senegal), should have opened in March 2020 in Dakar as part of a double bill with a new work created and performed by Malou Airaudo and Germaine Acogny, common ground[s]. However, just days before the premiere, performances were cancelled as governments around the world banned public gatherings and began shutting their borders due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Before disbanding and going into lockdown, the company seized the moment by performing a last rehearsal on a beach near their base at École des Sables. Filmmaker Florian Heinzen-Ziob and his crew were able to capture this unique moment in a stunning film. 

The show is preceded by a historical overview of The Rite of Spring hosted by dance specialist Valérie Lessard and featuring guest artists. It will also be followed by an interview with Germaine Acogny, artistic director of École des Sables, and Jorge Puerta Armenta, former member of Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch and a re-stager of The Rite of Spring at École des Sables.

Detailed Program

PRE-SHOW DOCUMENTARY CLIP
Les multiples visages du Sacre du printemps (The Many Faces of the Rite of Spring). With Valérie Lessard, professor of dance history, and guest artists (10 minutes).

Pause (1 minute)

FILMS
Dancing at Dusk – A Moment with Pina Bausch’s The Rite of Spring (40 minutes)
Pina Bausch The Rite of Spring - Rehearsals at École des Sables (7 minutes)

Pause (1 minute)

POST-SHOW INTERVIEWS
Valérie Lessard talks with Germaine Acogny, artistic director of École des Sables, and Jorge Puerta Armenta, former member of Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch and a re-stager of The Rite of Spring at École des Sables. (12 minutes)