The Old Man and Me is Hans van Manen's third duet for NDT III. Earlier he created Evergreens (1991) and Different Partners (1993). This newest creation, named after a song by bluesrock singer J.J. Cale, is danced by Sabine Kupferberg and Gérard Lemaitre.
Van Manen choreographed this duet specifically for these two dancers, placing the clownesque and the dramatic in direct opposition. The starting point was a simple form: a bench. With it, he explores how a story can be told using minimal means, carried by musicality and craftsmanship.
The choreography unfolds to three contrasting musical pieces: The Old Man and Me by J.J. Cale, Circus Polka by Igor Stravinsky, and the Andante from Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23. In a sixteen-minute duet, humour, memory and resignation are interwoven. Rather than relying on virtuosic technique, the work demands great physical and theatrical control — a challenge Kupferberg and Lemaitre fully embrace.
“Van Manen gives old dancers wings.” — NRC (1996)
“Van Manen still surpasses himself with The Old Man.” — Trouw (1996)
Title The Old Man and Me
Choreographer Hans van Manen
Performers NDT 3 Sabine Kupferberg, Gérard Lemaître
Music J.J. Cale: The Old Man and Me (1973)
Igor Stravinsky: Circus Polka (1942). © Schott Music, Mainz
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Pianoconcert nr. 23 in A Majeur, KV 488, Adagio (1786)
Light design Caboort
Set design Keso Dekker
Costume design Keso Dekker
Assistent to the choreographer Arlette van Boven
VIDEO
Recording location AT&T Danstheater, The Hague
Recording date 29-02-1996
Audiovisual post-production Harmen Straatman
Graphics Liz Klaver
Length 14 minutes
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Premiere date 29 Februari 1996, AT&T Danstheater, The Hague (NDT 3)
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