Dancer: Maia Makhateli | Photo: Hugo Thomassen Masterly ballet Live Choreography Hans van Manen Music Franz Liszt Costume design Keso Dekker Lighting design Jan Hofstra Various ballets Choreography Hans van Manen Musical accompaniment Dutch Ballet Orchestra In 1979, one of the undisputably most important events in Dutch theatre history took place: the premiere of Hans van Manen’s video ballet Live. At the time, it was claimed that the master choreographer had tapped a new genre. But the ballet has never been surpassed. This icon is now being presented again, in the round, at the theatre where it all began. Ingenious Since then, Live has moved thousands of people in the Netherlands and abroad, and critics have called it masterly and revolutionary. Van Manen’s ballet comprises an idea that is small in scope yet ingenious in its artistic significance. The audience sees a ballerina both live and in close-up images, filmed by a cameraman. On a large video screen, we see what the cameraman’s eye sees through the lens – live. We also witness – both live and in flashback – her encounters with a man; a relationship now characterised by pain and aggression. New works for our company In the years that followed the premiere of Live, Dutch National Ballet regularly performed in the round at Carré, presenting various Hans van Manen programmes, Rudi van Dantzig’s Romeo and Juliet and Gerardjan Rijnders’ Bacchanten. And every time was an exceptional event. We are therefore delighted to return to Carré. Alongside Van Manen’s masterpiece Live, we present a selection of other unforgettable ballets by the grand master, including works being performed by our company for the first time. Van Manen’s unforgettable Live is a must-see Those who’ve seen it will never forget it. The close-up images of the dancer. Her intimate relationship with the cameraman. And how, after one last heated confrontation with a man, she walks out of the theatre alone into the night. Almost fifty years after its world premiere, Hans van Manen’s Live is returning to Royal Theatre Carré, in a programme with other successful works by the master choreographer. “ A rare, moving experience of great beauty (...) One of the most impressive events in Dutch theatre history” de Volkskrant about Live Premiere 30/4/2026 Subsequent performances: 1, 2*, 2, 3* May 2026 | Curtain-up: 20:00 / *14:00 | Ticket sales start on: 28 August 2025 via Carré | Location: Royal Theatre Carré This performance is a collaboration between Dutch National Ballet and Royal Theatre Carré, with Dutch National Ballet serving as the responsible producer and Carré handling ticket sales and the venue. 93
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