Septet extra

Photo: Tony van Muyden
On this photo: Leon Koning, Arlette van Boven, Nils Christe

Choreographer: Hans van Manen

Hans van Manen has no other intention than to amuse the spectator with 'Septet extra'. A similar ballet is often criticized in advance as something insincere, for it would be too easy and quick to create. Van Manen would like to review this idea and reveal it as a misconception.

The creation process of 'Septet extra' exactly resembles the process of what people would conceive as a "serious" ballet: it costs the same amount of artistic effort and energy. 'Septet extra' is based on the septet by Camille Saint-Saëns, however, includes an additional waltz - the ‘extra’.

The title also refers to the unusual additions in movements, like yawning, staring or combing the hair. However, there are no deeper intentions; yawning is just yawning, nothing more or less, except maybe that the choreographer considers it as a movement in this ballet.