A poetic dance tribute to Jacques Brel, created with Solal Mariotte and the Rosas company, premieres in Brussels in January 2026.
Belgium’s most renowned choreographer, Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker, returns to Brussels in January 2026 with BREL, a new and deeply intimate duet. Presented at Théâtre National Wallonie-Bruxelles, the performance runs from 7 to 18 January 2026, with evening shows at 20:00.
This new creation brings De Keersmaeker together with rising dance talent Solal Mariotte. Together, they explore the emotional force of the songs of Jacques Brel, translating voice, lyric, and silence into movement.
When Song Becomes Movement
For decades, De Keersmaeker has explored the profound relationship between music and dance. However, her approach goes beyond rhythm or structure. Instead, she treats music as an emotional terrain.
In 2002, she created Once, a solo danced to the songs of Joan Baez. Now, more than twenty years later, BREL continues that artistic line. This time, the source is Brel’s intense, theatrical chansons, filled with passion, longing, revolt, and tenderness.
As a result, the stage becomes a place where sound and body speak the same language.
A Duet of Generations and Sensibilities
On stage, the setup remains deliberately simple. There is no excess, no spectacle for its own sake. Instead, two dancers share the space, allowing gestures, pauses, and breath to carry meaning.
De Keersmaeker’s precise, almost mathematical movement meets Mariotte’s youthful intensity. Their exchange becomes a dialogue between experience and discovery. In parallel, it mirrors the timeless quality of Brel’s music.
Moreover, the choreography pays close attention to detail. A hand movement echoes a lyric. A still moment answers a musical pause. Each choice feels deliberate and deeply human.
Dancing the Soul of Jacques Brel
BREL does not attempt to illustrate songs literally. Rather, it seeks to dance their essence. Love appears fragile and fierce. Loss becomes physical. Longing stretches across space.
Through this approach, the performance reveals how Brel’s words inhabit the body. Silence, too, plays a vital role. At times, it speaks as loudly as melody.
Created with the Rosas company, the piece stands as both homage and reinvention. It celebrates Belgian artistry while pushing it forward.
A Cultural Highlight for Brussels in 2026
With BREL, De Keersmaeker once again confirms her ability to make dance feel essential. The work speaks across generations and disciplines. It also reinforces Brussels’ place as a major centre for contemporary performance.
For residents, expats, and visitors alike, this production promises one of the cultural highlights of early 2026.
Practical Information
Dates: 7 → 18 January 2026
Time: 20:00
Venue: Théâtre National Wallonie-Bruxelles
Tickets & info: https://www.theatrenational.be
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