Royal Ballet of Flanders - William Forsythe

Impressing the Czar

Created by the Ballett Frankfurt’s American choreographer in 1988, Impressing the Czar has been back in the limelight in recent years thanks to Kathryn Bennetts, current director of the Royal Ballet of Flanders and former ballet mistress at the Ballett Frankfurt. Quintessentially Forsythean, this larger - than - life three - part mélange looms above his entire oeuvre. Drawing on Western history and codes of movement - which it then proceeds to deconstruct- the work uses its creator’s familiar obsessions with frenzied speed and edgy balance to deliver an aesthetic shock to the audience.


Impressing the Czar, an inspired, larger – than - life and often ironic work for 45 dancers, is an unusual hybrid in five self-standing sections, including the famous In the middle, somewhat elevated, set to music by Forsythe’s partner in crime, Thom Willems.


First performed by Ballett Frankfurt in 1988.
Recreated exclusively by the Royal Ballet of Flanders in (December) 2005.