What the body does not remember (revival 2026)

The music of What the Body Does Not Remember, composed by Thierry De Mey and Peter Vermeersch, plays a crucial role in driving the raw and physical intensity of the performance. Its percussive rhythms and abrupt changes in tempo mirror the dancers' explosive movements and split-second reactions. The score's minimalist yet powerful nature enhances the atmosphere of tension and unpredictability, amplifying the visceral impact of the choreography. This dynamic interplay between music and movement underscores the themes of instinct and survival, making the auditory experience as compelling as the visual. Together, De Mey and Vermeersch's compositions create a sonic landscape that is integral to the production's unforgettable impact.

With his debut production What the Body Does Not Remember, Vandekeybus unleashed a veritable artistic storm. It was no ordinary performance but rather a raw, physical experience balancing on the razor's edge of attraction and repulsion. The dancers moved with lightning speed and precise timing, reacting instinctively to each other and the music. Humorous moments threaded through explosions of aggression, fear, and danger in this adrenalinefueled, intensely physical performance.

What the Body Does Not Remember revealed the essence of instinctive reflexes, rooted in the unadulterated reality of existence, and laid the foundations for Vandekeybus' distinctive dance language. Performers threw stones above their heads while running across the stage at increasing speeds, creating a visceral and unforgettable experience for the audience as they danced on the edge of the abyss.