Less is More
Fascinating, meditative, and minimalist dance programme.
Less is More
Less is More is a subtle yet uplifting dance programme, embodying simplicity, stillness, and momentum. An evening of dance heritage in motion, featuring works by leading choreographers Hans van Manen, Lucinda Childs, and Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. Plus two new creations by a new generation of international makers: Igor Bacovich & Iratxe Ansa, and Fernando Melo. Each of them, in their own way, masters the art of omission.
We all experience stimuli differently. Artistic director Roel Voorintholt has known what it’s like to be neurodiverse for ten years now. It sparked his love for the art of leaving things out. “I invite everyone to take in and breathe in this meditative programme. To open themselves up to it, to ride the waves of the music and the dance.”
Less is More will premiere on 20 September 2025 at Amphion Doetinchem.
Tour: 20 September to 26 November 2025
Locations: Doetinchem, Haarlem, Amsterdam, Drachten, Amersfoort, Eindhoven, Tiel, Hengelo, Apeldoorn, Zutphen, Zwolle, Zaandam, Den Bosch, Maastricht, Rotterdam, Tilburg, The Hague, Wageningen, Deventer, Arnhem, Groningen, Zoetermeer, Oss, Amstelveen.
Please note: The programme in Musis Arnhem will be adjusted in some parts to make it suitable for the Parkzaal.
Agenda
Less is More
Stage pictures
Programme
Squares (Hans van Manen)
Squares (1969) is a cherished masterpiece that has been part of Introdans’ repertoire for over 30 years. The choreography is timeless and powerful in its simplicity. The acclaimed choreographer considers Squares one of his finest creations. This work also marks the beginning of the collaboration between Hans van Manen and Roel Voorintholt in the 1990s. An elegant light frame above the black-gloss raised dance floor defines the dancers and their white costumes. The music of Erik Satie sets the minimalist tone. The press wrote: “Squares is the embodiment of calm, control, and musicality” and “the precise, almost mathematical Squares still manages to impress.”
Canto Ostinato (Lucinda Childs)
Canto Ostinato (2015) captivates many. “The mathematical patterns carry you along in a cadence of complex simplicity” and “simple, pure and beautiful,” wrote the press at the premiere. Childs’ choreography, set to excerpts from the famous composition of the same name by Simeon ten Holt, is marked by deceptive simplicity: straightforward walking steps, small jumps, tight formations. But appearances can be misleading: the constantly shifting patterns, directions, and rhythms reveal a brilliant inventiveness and demand the utmost from the dancers. Maximum movement to minimal music. For the audience, Canto Ostinato offers a meditative experience. Introdans cherishes the repertoire of this American ‘queen of minimalist dance’— this spring, an entire focus programme was dedicated to her work.
Traces – world premiere (Fernando Melo)
The grand gestures and museum-like simplicity in the work of Brazilian choreographer Fernando Melo are compelling. For this new choreography (a world premiere), Melo collaborates with Arnhem-based Fillip Studios for the digital staging. Few can bring classical theatre magic to life in such an innovative way as Fillip Studios—perfectly complementing Melo’s artistic vision.
Fractus V – Introdans premiere (fragment) (Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui)
Versatile Flemish-Moroccan choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui draws on the philosophy of Alan Watts (1915–1973), who spoke of letting go of anxious thoughts. Don’t waste time on what lies behind you or what hasn’t happened yet. It’s a call to break free from the endless stream of “what if” thinking. In this short excerpt from the choreography Fractus V (2015), several dancers use body language and hand gestures to reflect on Watts’ spoken words.
Read here the full text of Fractus V
Promises – world premiere (Igor Bacovich & Iratxe Ansa)
The lyrical movement language of the Italian-Spanish duo Igor Bacovich and Iratxe Ansa also leaves a strong impression. Their company, Metamorphosis Dance, has received international acclaim for its sculptural choreographies. For this commissioned world premiere by Introdans, Bacovich and Ansa collaborate with Spanish set designer Marta Pazos. In her staging, colour serves as the aesthetic starting point. Bacovich has performed with, among others, Krisztina de Châtel and Nanine Linning, while Iratxe previously danced with Nederlands Dans Theater.
Rehearsal pictures
Premiere pictures
Choreographers
Dansers
Credits
Squares
choreography Hans van Manen
music Erik Satie, Trois Gymnopédies
set design Bob Bonies
costume design Hans van Manen
lighting design Joop Caboort
set workshop Nelissen Decorbouw
costume workshop Merlijn Koopman
repetitor Giuseppe Calabrese
duration ± 21 minutes
world premiere June 24, 1969, NDT, Paris (FR)
Introdans premiere September 29, 2001, Arnhem
Extended music credits: Erik Satie, Trois Gymnopédies performed by Bojan Gorišek (CD: Erik Satie, Complete Piano Works, Volume 1, Bojan Gorišek, Audiophile Classics, APC 101014, 1995 release)
Trois Gymnopédies (orchestration Claude Debussy, performed by Orchestre Symphonique et Lyrique de Nancy conducted by Jerome Kaltenbach, recording 1997, release 1999, Naxos)
Canto Ostinato
choreography Lucinda Childs
music Simeon ten Holt, Canto Ostinato
costume, lighting, and set design Dominique Drillot
audiovisual design Dominique Drillot and Matthieu Stefani, inspired by Norman McLaren
costume workshop Merlijn Koopman
repetitor Vérine Bouwman
duration ± 13 minutes
world premiere February 6, 2015, Introdans, Arnhem
Traces
choreography Fernando Melo
concept Fernando Melo and Fillip Studios
sound design and scenography Fillip Studios
lighting design Berry Claassen
set workshop Mascha van Vugt
costume workshop Introdans
repetitor Marlena Wolfe
duration ± 15 minutes
world premiere September 20, 2025, Introdans, Doetinchem
Fractus V
choreography Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui
music Woojae Park, The Mind That Worries
costume design Veerle Van den Wouwer
lighting design Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui
staged by Patrick Williams
repetitor Marlena Wolfe
duration ± 5 minutes
world premiere September 16, 2015, Eastman, Antwerp (BE)
Introdans premiere September 20, 2025, Doetinchem
Promises
choreography Igor Bacovich & Iratxe Ansa
music Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders and the London Symphony Orchestra, Promises
set design Marta Pazos
lighting design Nicolás Fischtel
set workshop Streep Maakt
costume workshop Merel Kaspers
repetitor Vérine Bouwman
duration ± 28 minutes
world premiere September 20, 2025, Introdans, Doetinchem