Pina Bausch’s Kontakthof – Echoes of ‘78: poignant reality

Pina Bausch, Kontakthof – Echoes of ’78

By Graham Watts, 08 April 2026

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Reviewed at Sadler's Wells Theatre, London on 7 April 2026

Kontakthof – Echoes of '78 (Pina Bausch, Meryl Tankard)

Tanztheater Wuppertal

Rolf Borzik, Set Designer, Costume Designer

Ryan Joseph Stafford, Lighting Designer

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Sweet Mambo was one of those rare evenings that felt very special, unique in the sense of watching history revisited in the present day.

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Rites in Antwerp: a towering triple bill for Opera Ballet Vlaanderen

Elsa Giovanna Simonetti, 17th January

In Rites, Opera Ballet Vlaanderen confirm its status as a leading contemporary dance company with a formidable triple bill, technically demanding for both dancers and orchestra.

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Tanztheater Wuppertal inject new life into Pina Bausch's Vollmond

Graham Watts, 18th February

A late Bausch classic reinterpreted by a nearly new ensemble, it remains an excellent example of her remarkable artistic dynasty that continues to astonish over 15 years after her death.

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Acogny & Airaudo/École des Sables: a riveting double bill

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Pina Bausch's Nelken returns to Sadler's Wells for the first time in almost two decades.

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Occurring at the Park Avenue Armory, the double bill program investigated stories of the crone and the maiden. They were united by the mother who brought us together – Pina Bausch.

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Graham Watts

Graham Watts is a freelance dance writer and critic writing regularly for Dancing Times, Dance Europe, Danza Europa, and many more publications. He regularly writes features for Sadler’s Wells, London Coliseum and La Scala. Chairman of the Dance Section of the Critics’ Circle in the United Kingdom and of the UK National Dance Awards he has interviewed many of the greatest names in dance including Maya Plisetskaya, Vladimir Vasiliev, Boris Eifman, Alexei Ratmansky, Andris Liepa, Sir Peter Wright, David Bintley and Dame Gillian Lynne. When not involved in dance Graham is a keen fencer, and has captained the British Sabre team.