Betroffenheit

Created by Crystal Pite and Jonathon Young, the award-winning BETROFFENHEIT is a boundary-stretching hybrid of theatre and dance that explores the psychological states of trauma, grief and addiction.

The title of the piece is a German word that roughly translates as a state of shock, bewilderment or dismay. Betroffenheit is based on Young’s own experience – his teenage daughter, niece and nephew died in a fire whilst on a family holiday in 2009.

Combining tap, salsa, spoken word, song and puppetry with Pite’s emotionally charged choreography, Betroffenheit is a witty and tender-hearted exploration of disconnection, isolation and what it means to come to terms with such a tragedy. Described as raw and riveting, this genre-busting dance-theatre hybrid was the Dance Critics’ top pick of 2016, and won the 2017 Olivier Award for Best New Dance Production. Jonathon Young was also deservedly awarded Outstanding Performance in Modern Dance at the Critics’ Circle National Dance Awards.

Five astonishing performers create the mindscape of Young’s tormented central character as he moves from despair towards the hope of recovery. Powerfully staged, the result is a genre-defying piece of dance theatre that has stunned critics and audiences.

Betroffenheit was recorded during its sold-out performances at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London in April 2017.