Arithmophobia | VERBRUGGEN

In Jeroen Verbruggen’s ballet arithmophobia, or suffering associated with a fear of numbers, becomes a reflection on the remaining time we have to live. The young choreographer -cum-dancer with the Ballets de Monte-Carlo, approaches the theme in a way which avoids gloom and doom. Panicking is pointless as we all know that if we add up all the minor daily catastrophes we see all around us the end of the world is inevitably nigh. Each of the eight dancers on stage carries a personal story which individually is not all black. By adding this to the others the audience realises that there is a collective malfunction.

To illustrate the hypothesis of an imminent universe devoid of humans, Jeroen Verbruggen has drawn inspiration from a range of written works, in particular the Apocalypse of Saint John, unifying them into a staged performance full of surprises. Mahler’s 10th “unfinished” symphony has been adapted for the occasion by electronic artist Matthew Herbert. Costumes are inspired by the crude representation of painter Jean Rustin which offers an 

"Arithmophobia" | VERBRUGGEN
Choreography: Jeroen Verbruggen
Music: Symphony X by Mahler recomposed by Matthew Herbert
Scenography: Jeroen Verbruggen assisted by Tina Alloncle (student at ESAP, Monaco)
Costumes: Jeroen Verbruggen assisted by Jean-Michel Lainé and Leslie Bourgeois after the paintings by Jean Rustin
Lighting: Samuel Thery
Video: Gregory Sebbane

Premiere held on July 17th 2013, Salle Garnier Opéra de Monte-Carlo