Will Kylián's work return to NDT? (The 3 questions everyone is asking now that Paul Lightfoot announces departure)

Paul Lightfoot, artistic director of Nederlands Dans Theater, announces his departure from 2020. A remarkable decision. Only recently, the energetic leader was on stage at the Zuiderstrandtheater to perform at a good way Gerald Tibbs, former artistic director of NDT2 to wave goodbye to retirement. But there are some questions.

1: Why announce his own departure the day after?

Relationships end

In many relationships that end, it is either because of another person, or because of too many arguments. Usually the former. In this case, too, it seems so. Lightfoot says he wants to devote himself more to his other passion: making dance instead of leading dance organisations. So be it. For nine years, he led the sublime dance company with enthusiasm and verve. That may be enough for once. The end of the 60th anniversary in 2020 will then be a good time to say goodbye.

Too bad, though, that the new Spuiforum is not there by then. Or perhaps on the contrary: fortunately. Lightfoot showed himself a passionate opponent of the cultural colossus that is set to replace Rem Koolhaas' original building in 2021. Now another artistic director will take up residence there. And the big question is who?

Artistic genius?

As for that question, it remains to be seen whether an artistic genius will take over the sceptre. More to be expected is a practical-minded person with a flexible and big enough ego. After all, there are big ambitions for the prestigious cultural complex in the international city of law and peace. The other option is a big name with a radically different approach who can pack up his bags after a year or so of capital destruction.

Then that other question.

2: Will work by Jiří Kylián return to the repertoire?

That's partly because of where things went wrong. A look at a press release from 2013: 'For three years...NDT will not stage a work by Kylián. This logical step is based on his [Kylián's] desire to give NDT all the freedom and space it needs to further develop its own version'.

If someone tells me in advance that something is a logical step, I am usually wary.

As mentioned, there are reasons why relationships end. The stop on Kylián's work came at a time when successful choreographers who were getting older (Mats Ek and William Forsythe, among others) were wondering whether their work should continue to be performed by other generations. Consequently, there was confusion at the time of the decision and considerable panic when it was officially announced.

The aforementioned press release stated that Lightfoot fully supported the logical move. At the same time, in a recent interview That the decision was a shock. Something seems to be wriggling there. In any case, now it is 2018 and the company has definitely taken its own course and face. Apart from Kylián. Kudos for that, mission accomplished by all means. Even with a demolished theatre on its doorstep and an inaccessible playing venue far out in the harbour. The only downside is that NDT is somewhat economical about Lightfoot's departure by stating that his influence was "extremely positive".

3: Is it possible for works by Lightfoot and Kylián to enter the repertoire without either of them being artistic directors?

To ask the question is to answer it.