THE DOG DAYS ARE OVER 2.0

A hypnotic performance centred on exhaustion and repetition.

‘Open all pores to this gem. And above all, don't forget to breathe.’ wrote the Nieuwsblad in 2014 about THE DOG DAYS ARE OVER. The reviews back then did not lie: this production marked the absolute breakthrough for Jan Martens, and has become an audience favourite and a landmark among performances that focus on exhaustion and repetitiveness.

The American photographer Philippe Halsman once said: “When you ask a person to jump, his attention is mostly directed toward the act of jumping and the mask falls so that the real person appears.” With THE DOG DAYS ARE OVER Jan Martens took this statement as a starting point and exposed through the jump the person behind the dancer. In THE DOG DAYS ARE OVER, the dancer is defined as a pure performer, striving after perfection. Subjected to a complex, mathematical, vigorous and exhausting choreography executed in forced uniformity, the eight dancers ultimately slip up. And then their masks fall.

According to the newspaper De Standaard, one of the 25 most powerful stage performances of the 21st century! “Jan Martens began his career with intimate duets, but with this tour de force it became clear: this man is capable of great things.”

In 2025, Jan Martens and GRIP are recreating this successful show with a new cast.

Want to share your thoughts after the performance?

Fancy discussing the performance over a drink? Join us at the STUK Café for an inspiring small-group conversation, guided by a STUK colleague. No prior knowledge is needed, and everyone is welcome!

➤ Date: 6/05 from 21:40-22:10
➤ Language: English (prefer to speak Dutch? A colleague will happily translate)
➤ Duration: 30 minutes (starts 10 minutes after the performance)
➤ Location: STUK Café
➤ Free, no registration required

THE DOG DAYS ARE OVER workshop

Want to take steps yourself, or better: jump yourself? One of the dancers from the performance, Pierre Bastin, will give a workshop on Wednesday May 13, where you can get an active insight into how dance is created. A glimpse into the toolbox of dance makers. No dance experience necessary, just a desire to move!

Workshop Pierre Bastin

Listen to the stories behind the revival

In the first episode of the Body of Work podcast, we delve into the story of the revival of THE DOG DAYS ARE OVER. Twelve years after the 2014 première, this complex and exhausting choreography has returned to the stage with an entirely new cast.
During the final month of rehearsals before the premiere, we went into the studio to meet the people behind this revival.

Body of Work Podcast

CREDITS

choreography Jan Martens artistic assistance Naomi Gibson artistic assistance & coaching Steven Michel, Piet Defrancq performers Pierre Bastin, Camilla Bundel, Jim Buskens, Zoë Chungong, Simon Lelièvre, Florence Lenon, Elisha Mercelina, Dan Mussett, Pierre Adrien Touret, Zora Westbroek, Maisie Woodford, Paolo Yao original cast Piet Defrancq, Naomi Gibson, Nelle Hens, Julien Josse, Kimmy Ligtvoet, Cherish Menzo, Steven Michel, Laura Vanborm en/of Morgane Ribbens, Ilse Ghekiere, Victor Dumont, Connor Schumacher, Caspar Knops, Amerigo Delli Bove, Daniel Barkan dramaturgy Renée Copraij costume design te bevestigen light design Jan Fedinger technicians on tour te bevestigen graphic design Nick Mattan kinesitherapie & osteopathie Fourward Gent, Inge Haeyaert, Lode Verreyen production GRIP (Hanne Doms, Anneleen Hermans, Rudi Meulemans, Klaartje Oerlemans, Jennifer Piasecki, Sylvie Svanberg, Nele Verreyken) internationale spreiding A propic / Line Rousseau, Marion Gauvent partners 2023-2027: La Comédie de Clermont-Ferrand, Maison de la danse/Pôle européen de création, en soutien à la Biennale de Lyon co-production 2014 Frascati Producties, SPRING performing arts festival, DansBrabant, La Briqueterie CDC du Val-de-Marne, tanzhaus nrw and TAKT Dommelhof co-production 2025 Theater Rotterdam, DE SINGEL, Perpodium financial support (2014) de Vlaamse Overheid en het Fonds Podiumkunsten financial support (2025) de Vlaamse Overheid, Tax Shelter Maatregel van de Belgische Federale Overheid via Cronos Invest with the support of (2014) workspacebrussels en wpZimmer with thanks to (2025) Dansateliers, Conny Janssen Danst, JAN en ICKamsterdam, Opera Ballet Vlaanderen, c o r s o with the support of Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels