La Tendresse du ventre de la baleine

«La Tendresse du ventre de la baleine»
Géraldine Chollet

Rousing dance, pulsating music and a sense of security. In the Lausanne choreographer's new work, prejudices and entrenched ideas are charmingly outwitted.

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Fri 21/11 20:00
Halle
Sat 22/11 20:00
Halle

The works of Lausanne-based choreographer Géraldine Chollet are powerful, impressively dance-like and create an empathetic pull that is difficult for the audience to resist. In ‘La Tendresse du ventre de la baleine’ (The Tenderness of the Whale's Belly), the audience is enthralled by eight magnificent dancers and the rousing energy of the music by Zurich DJ Iman Waser and guitarist and singer Billie Bird. Based on the book Jonas*, Chollet has created an evening of dance, music and togetherness.

*Jonas, whose fabulous journey in the belly of a fish is recounted in Judaism, Islam and Christianity. Swallowed by the sea at night, Jonas experiences three days of learning and intense transformation, hidden inside the whale. Spit out onto the shore and finding himself, he now embarks on a path of confrontation with the community.

Information on accessibility and language

not language-based
stepless access

La Tendresse du ventre de la baleine is French.
It is pronounced: la tondress dö la balän.
In English, it means: the tenderness of the whale's belly.
The play La Tendresse du ventre de la baleine is about Jonah.
Jonah is a character from the Bible.
A whale swallows Jonas.
Jonas lives in the whale's belly for three days.
Then he escapes.
Afterwards, he sees life in a community differently.
Eight dancers perform the story of Jonas on stage.
Billie Bird sings and plays the guitar.
Iman Waser creates electronic music.
Concept & Choreography:
Géraldine Chollet
Choreography in collaboration with the dancers:
Jessica Tamsin Allemann, Johanna Robyn Closuit, Karine Dahouindji, Victor Dumont, Bilal El Had, Bast Hippocrate, Maïté Maeum Jeannolin, David Zagari
Associate Director & Dramaturgy:
Dan Watson
Additional dancers:
Mélissa Guex, Eléonore Heiniger
Vocals and guitar:
Billie Bird
DJ:
Iman Waser / MÂNAA
Dramaturgy:
Adina Secretan, Jessica Huber
Lighting design:
Sel Dir Melaizi
Technical direction:
Nidea Henriques
Costumes:
Maarten Van Mulken
Assistant:
Claire Nicholas
Set design consultation:
Sarah André, Thérèse Weibel
Assistants:
Trân Tran, Tamara Lysek
Sound engineering:
Raphaël Raccuia
Production, distribution and development:
Maxine Devaud / oh la la - performing arts production
A Production by:
Cie Rahu LaMo
A Co-production by:
Théâtre Vidy - Lausanne, Pavillon ADC - Geneva, LAC - Lugano Arte e Cultura, Gessnerallee, Kaserne Basel
Géraldine Chollet began her career as a dancer and choreographer at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance (London). She then danced with various companies (Cie Jessica Huber, Cie Prototype-Status, Cie Philippe Saire, Unplush) and worked as an actress (with Cie Emilie Charriot and L’Alakran, among others). In 2006, she trained with Ohad Naharin and the Batsheva Dance Company in the Gaga movement language for dance and theatre professionals and amateurs, and teaches at La Manufacture (HETSR) and Annexe 36 in Lausanne, among others. Since 2011, Géraldine Chollet has been developing her own choreographic work with Cie Rahu LaMo, notably with the pieces ‘ITMAR’ (2014) and ‘La Kabane’ (2022). Her work ‘Overture’ was invited to the Swiss Dance Days. Parallel to her artistic practice, Chollet trained as a pastoral caregiver in palliative care.
Label+ romand, State of Vaud, City of Lausanne, Loterie Romande, Pro Helvetia, Ernst Göhner Foundation