The Pretty Things

Catherine Gaudet

20–21 September 2024

Dansens Hus

165–360 kr

Showings and tickets

Friday, 20/09

19:00–19:55

Dansens Hus (Hovedscenen)

165–360 kr

Buy ticket

Saturday, 21/09

17:00–17:55

Dansens Hus (Hovedscenen)

165–360 kr

Buy ticket

Five dancers in a line are the ‘Pretty Things’ of the title, which Canadian choreographer Catherine Gaudet borrowed from a French novel by Virginie Despentes. In dazzling white light and a laboratory-like stage set, the dancers exhaust themselves by mechanically repeating four simple yet gruelling movements. When the machine goes into overdrive, cracks begin to appear. Those unlucky enough to be at the ends of the line have to use twice as much effort as the ones in the middle.

Antoine Berthiaume's minimalist percussion-based music ratchets up in intensity throughout the performance. Gaudet’s choreography attempts to provoke the emergence of psychic states through repetitive movement. At the same time it permits the dancers to keep touches of individuality as they strive to break free of the steady rhythm and become more than obedient machines.

Related events

20 September, after the performance: Panel discussion on minimalism as a basis for creation and creative thinking, led by contemporary cellist, music researcher, and composer Tanja Orning. The panel includes choreographers and dance artists Roza Moshtaghiand Inés Belli, and composer and musician Jan Martin Smørdal. Read more here.

21 September, 12.00: James Phillips – a long time collaborator of Catherine Gaudet – hosts a workshop for dancers. Read more here.

21 September, after the performance: Dancers from The Pretty Things plus rehearsal director Sophie Michaud in conversation with Stine Nilsen, artistic director of Dansens hus. Read more here.