The Theatre Museum presents the exhibition Dance! People dance for various reasons. For some it is art and artistic expression, for others it is relaxation and enjoyment. But how one experiences dance - on the dance floor, the stage or in the ballroom - it is always an experience. Dance! presents a wide range of dance forms and styles, ranging from classical ballet to modern dance and from world dance to show dance and club dance. Dance is brought to life by costumes, special objects, unique photos and video fragments.
One of the highlights is the monumental canvas depicting cancan dancers by the painter Jan Sluyters, probably dating from 1915. A touching item is the little shoe left behind by Anna Pavlova after her sudden death in the Hotel Des Indes in 1931. There are sensuous photos of nightclub dancers dating from the 1960s, while the barbed-wire tutu from the Grand Cru dance company’s 2004 production Double U appeals to the senses in a rather different way.
Dance! shows how world dance expresses identity and a sense of belonging. Viewed from this perspective, urban dance can be seen as today’s most popular style of folk dance for young people. In the dance studio visitors can enter the fairytale world of dance but at the same experience its tougher side. Dance demands discipline and it pushes the physical and mental boundaries. Most professionals have to retire by the time they enter their forties. In the intimate red room visitors will find one of Yonina’s belly dance costumes and can even try a short pole dance if they dare. Both belly dance and pole dance have developed from a night club act to an accepted form of art and sport. In the dance hall the focus is on show and revue and it also presents ballroom dancing and club dance.
The Dance! exhibition is accompanied by an extensive supplementary programme. From September onwards there will be workshops, guided tours, studio visits and discussions for both professionals and the general public.
Simultaneously with the opening of Dance! the dancer Alexandra Radius and the choreographer Hans van Manen will be added to the website www.eenlevenlangtheater.nl. This website provides a multimedia overview of the life and work of major figures in Dutch theatre. Dance! is an exhibition that is organized as part of the Year of Dance.