Rain (live)

Like a spreading fire

Rain (2001) is one of Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker's most vibrant performances and is set to Steve Reichs Music for 18 Musicians. In many ways, the piece continued the choreographic principles that she had initiated three years previously with Drumming. Mathematical figures, continuous repetitions, the geometric utilisation of space and the art of continual variation: here De Keersmaeker pushes to its limits everything that had gradually become her trademark.

You are gripped by a kind of madness of movement. Like a spreading fire, it jumps from one body to another, without pausing at any one person. To the pulsing notes of Steve Reich’s minimalistic music – performed live by Ictus – ten dancers surrender themselves to an irrepressible collective energy. A bubbling network of breathing and speed connects them, as does that strange camaraderie that appears only beyond the limits of exhaustion.

• This season, we are presenting four performances from the Rosas repertoire. We kick off with Rain, on location at the Cirque Royale. Later, with Rosas danst Rosas, A Love Supreme and Golden Hours (As you like it), you can (re-)experience three further defining moments from 33 years of Rosas’ dance history.