Podcast » Kevin Richmond
This interview is a reminder of how lucky we in Britain have been with our great choreographers – in this case Christopher Bruce. Talking to Deborah Weiss, dance writer, editor and former first...
people » Koen Onzia
Koen Onzia (1961–). Belgian dancer and teacher
Koen Onzia was born in Geel, Belgium, in 1961, and studied at the Royal Ballet School in Antwerp. He won the Gold Medal at the Prix de Lausanne in 1979, danced with the Royal Ballet of Flanders and joined London Festival (later English National) Ballet in 1982, where he became a principal dancer in 1986. He performed in the classics with London Festival Ballet and was noted for his performances with the company in Christopher Bruce’s Swansong and Cruel Garden. He later worked with Maurice Béjart’s company in Lausanne. Koen Onzia now works as a teacher.
With music by Philip Chambon, Christopher Bruce’s Swansong is a stark male trio that evokes the physical and mental torture of political prisoners. The ballet was first performed in 1987 on tour by...