DANS (SVERIGE)

Dans (Sverige) consists of a dialogue between Frédéric Gies’ prolific body of work, which they created since they moved to Sweden twelve years ago and Maison de Fous (Dråhuset), the 1920 dance piece by Les Ballets Suédois. While the piece reactivates materials from Gies’ pieces, made during these twelve years in Sweden, it also excavates their uncanny kinship with the piece by Les Ballets Suédois. Through this dialogue, Dans (Sverige) – Group Version explores the subversive power and the revolutionary dimension of the figure of the Fou. With uncompromising irreverence and humor, the piece does away with the fetishization of national origins and embarks us on a joyful parade, a protest in which fools, witches, coquettes and showgirls summon up their forces and courage in the face of oppressive powers, in times of looming fascism. 

This project exists in two versions: a solo and a group version. The solo version was conceived as a template for the group version and premiered on April 12, 2026 at Weld in Stockholm. The group version will premiere on September 24, 2026 at Dansens hus in Stockholm.

Credits (group version):
Choreography: Frédéric Gies
Dance: Elise Brewer, Frédéric Gies, Andreas Haglund, Elizabeth Ward, Declan Whitaker
Music: Fiedel
Lighting design: Thomas Zamolo
Costumes: Grzegorz Matlag
Artistic assistance: Elise Brewer

Co-produced by Dansens Hus and Inkonst / Residence support by MARC and Skogen / With the support of Kulturrådet, Region Skåne, Malmö Stad and Konstnärsnämnden

Credits (solo version):
Choreography and dance: Frédéric Gies
Music: Fiedel
Lighting design: Thomas Zamolo
Costumes: Grzegorz Matlag
Artistic assistance: Elise Brewer

Co-produced by Weld and Skogen/ Residence support by Skogen / With the support of Kulturrådet, Region Skåne, Malmö Stad and Konstnärsnämnden.