Rebel Rebel

Music theatre

20.8.-2.9.2026

Jahrhunderthalle Bochum

Music theater about love against violence - with songs by David Bowie

For Ruhrtriennale, Ivo Van Hove creates a new music theatre with songs by David Bowie. Rebel Rebel, named after one of his most famous songs, plays in a deteriorating society, gangs of violent youths are terrorising the cities. Relationships of whatever sort are banned. Alienation and isolation are enforced by law. A young couple resists and creates a utopia of their own – people are stronger than any repressive regime. Because they love each other, they can prevail. Bowie's music thus becomes the soundtrack to a society on the brink.

With Lazarus, David Bowie realized his dream of creating a musical – together with Ivo Van Hove, whom he had entrusted with directing the piece. Ten years later, Ivo Van Hove returns to Bowie’s musical cosmos with Rebel Rebel.

Henry Hey, the music director, worked with Bowie on his album The Next Day and Lazarus, the musical. The multi-award-winning choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui takes on the challenge of translating violence, resistance and love into dance.

Produced by Ruhrtriennale in collaboration with Seaview and Eastman

„David Bowie was one of the greatest visionary artists of our time.“

Ivo Van Hove

Cast

Conceived and directed by
- Ivo Van Hove
Musical Director, Arrangements
- Henry Hey
Choreography
- Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui
Set Design, Lighting Design
- Jan Versweyveld
Video Design
- Christopher Ash
Costume Design
- An D'Huys
Sound Design
- Spatial*Junction, Erwin Sterk & Dennis Slot
Associate Set Design
- Bart Van Merode
Associate Lighting Design
- Dennis van Scheppingen
With
- Diego Rodriguez (Boy),
- Ari Notartomaso (Girl),
- Daniel Donskoy (Gang Leader)
Dance
- Maryna Kushchova (Ashotivna),
- Nick Coutsier,
- Zoe Hollinshead,
- Matys Kaïbo,
- Kazutomi "Tsuki" Kozuki,
- Mason Kelly,
- Nathalia Meneses Gonzalez,
- Helena Olmedo Duynslaeger,
- Nelson Parrish Earl,
- Patrick Williams Seebacher (TwoFace)
Band
- Henry Hey (Keys 1),
- Christian Frentzen (Keys 2),
- Erez Frank (Base),
- Lennart Delissen (Guitar 1),
- Scheroan Zibari (Guitar 2),
- Chris Farr (Drums),
- Marc Doffey (Saxophone)

Supporters Ruhrtriennale

Supported by Ammodo Art.

Funded by Brost Stiftung.

Supported by Stiftung Pro Bochum.

With the kind support of the Verein der Freunde und Förderer der Ruhrtriennale e. V.

Further supporters

Eastman is supported by the Tax Shelter of the Belgian Federal Government.

Bring Your Friends

Come to Ruhrtriennale 2026 with your friends! With our Bring Your Friends promotion, you will receive up to three additional tickets with a 50 % discount on each full-price ticket for Rebel Rebel on 23 Aug. Tickets can be purchased in our webshop.