Bern:Ballett

Under the direction of Cathy Marston since August 2007, the Bern:Ballett is a repertoire-based ensemble of 12-15 dancers coming from across the world. With all having attained a level of excellence in both classical ballet and contemporary dance, the company is committed to the creation of quality dance in a friendly and open environment that stimulates engagement from the local and international community.

Extremely versatile, the company performs a repertoire that includes the ‘contemporary classical’ works of renowned masters such as Jiri Kylian and Hans Van Manen, but places the primary focus on new, contemporary works. These are choreographed especially for the company by dance-makers of the next generation who draw upon the ensemble’s technique, improvisation skills, creativity and teamwork. The repertoire spans a broad range of choreographers from around the globe but is underpinned by the work of House Choreographer and Director, Cathy Marston, who is also responsible for commissioning and commissioning the work of all guest choreographers.

Marston has commissioned 32 world premieres in her 6 year tenure (2007-2013) by the following choreographers: Hofesh Shechter, Alexander Ekman, Medhi Walerski, Andrea Miller, Karole Armitage, Guilheme Botelho, Andonis Foniadakis, Orjan Andersson, Didy Veldman, Noa Zuk, Tabea Martin, Erick Guillard, Teresa Rotenberg, Mark Bruce and Corrine Rochett. She has also commissioned 6 new musical scores in colloboration with composers/musicians such as Gabriel Prokofiev, Dave Maric, Kummerbuben, Pamela Mendez Band and Steff La Cheffe.

Bern:Ballett’s productions are varied in their format and setting. They range from full-evening works, two/three/four part-programs, to the ‘Tanz-Made In Bern’ series where dancers of the company are able to present their own short works. Performances take place in the Stadttheater Bern, with a traditional proscenium arch setting, the Vidmarhalle, a warehouse-conversion black-box space, and on tour at venues such as the Linbury Theatre at the Royal Opera House and Snape Maltings in Suffolk as well as around Swizerland on tour with the Migros Steps Festival.

Cathy Marston has introduced an intensive ‘off-stage’ agenda including regular open rehearsals, education projects, apprenticeships and collaborations with other local/international institutions. Combined with the increasing popularity of the performances, these strategies have succeeded in integrating the ensemble and the art form into the local community, thereby assuring the company’s buoyancy in the local cultural landscape. Whilst economic stringencies at one point threatened closure in ‘08/’09, the outcome of widespread support from the community has guaranteed that the Ballet ensemble will be included in the next funding period 2012-2016.

For information about current performances, open rehearsals, and other projects please visit www.konzerttheaterbern.ch.

For tour-enquiries, please contact company manager, Wanda Puvogel, at wanda.puvogel@stadttheaterbern.ch.