SOMNOLE Boris Charmatz
Irish Premiere
France
A dreamlike yet powerfully physical solo, blurring the boundaries between wakefulness and sleep
Thu 15—Fri 16 May 2025
Trailblazing choreographer and director of the renowned Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch, Boris Charmatz brings his dynamic and minimalist solo SOMNOLE to DDF’s 21st Edition.
↓ Read morePrice
€22 full price / €18 conc.
How long?
60 mins (no interval)
From the show
Watch
"Padding, skipping, running, raising himself on his elbows in a back stand, nearly dozing off before throwing himself into a frantic tap dance, he was always utterly compelling."
The Guardian
"A performance of extreme physicality, an extraordinary carnal prowess."
Le Soir
In this hypnotic performance, Charmatz draws audiences into the dreamlike realm of somnolence – the delicate space between wakefulness and sleep.
Alone on stage and accompanied only by the sound of his own whistling, Charmatz pushes his physicality and stamina to the limit. As familiar melodies emerge, blend and dissolve, we find moments of calm, intensity and humour. His powerful choreography merges slumberous gestures with rapid rhythms, as the body seeks rest while resisting surrender.
A meditative and profound journey, SOMNOLE explores the quiet tension between the mind’s longing for stillness and its restless motion. With lighting that shifts between shadows and blinding beams, the performance casts a spell of fleeting clarity, offering a poignant reflection on rest, daydreams, and the beauty that lies between.
Dive deeper with an intimate Lunchtime Talk with Boris Charmatz, Fri 16 May, 12:30pm
Join us for an insightful conversation with choreographer Boris Charmatz. As part of Interspaces, a special series of inspirational workshops and discussions for DDF’s 21st Edition. Book Now.
Credits
- Choreography & Interpretation Boris Charmatz
- Choreographic Assistant Magali Caillet Gajan
- Lighting Yves Godin
- Costume Collaboration Marion Regnier
- Vocal Work Dalila Khatir
- With the help of Bertand Causse, Médéric Collingnon
- General Stage Manager Mélissandre Halbert, Fabrice le Fur
- Lighting Technician Germain Fourvel
- Deputy Director Terrain Hélène Joly
- Direction of Production Lucas Chardon, Martina Hochmuth
- Production Manager Briac Geffrault, Lola Serre
Acknowledgement to Alban Moraud, Mette Ingvartsen, Iris Ingvartsen Charmatz, Xenia Ingvartsen Charmatz, Florentine Busson
Production and distribution: Terrain
With the support of Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels
Co-production: Opéra de Lille – Théâtre Lyrique d’Intérêt National, le phénix – scène nationale de Valenciennes – pôle européen de création, Bonlieu – scène nationale d’Annecy, Charleroi Danse – Centre chorégraphique de Wallonie-Bruxelles (Belgium), Festival d’Automne à Paris, Festival de Marseille, Teatro Municipal do Porto, Helsinki Festival, Scène nationale d’Orléans, MC93 – Maison de la Culture de Seine-Saint-Denis (Bobigny), Pavillon ADC (Geneva)
With the support of Lafayette Anticipations – Fondation d’entreprise Galeries Lafayette, dans le cadre du programme Atelier en résidence
With the participation of the Jeune théâtre national
Presented in association with the French Embassy in Ireland and with the support of Dunne & Crescenzi.
