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Carmen

A modern classic for the whole family (ages 6–106)

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Carmen

A modern classic for the whole family (ages 6–106)

Introdans presents a new adaptation of the classic opera tale Carmen—a dance production for the whole family. Impressive, full of passion and fiery spirit—olé!

In his version of Carmen, Spanish choreographer Gustavo Ramírez Sansano tells the gripping story of love and the destructive force of jealousy. The gentle soldier Don José falls head over heels for the fierce Carmen, but she refuses to be tied down to just one man. The full Introdans ensemble appears in this reimagined classic, complete with unexpected twists. Everything is in black and white—from the Picasso-inspired set to the stunning costumes. The rhythms of flamenco, paso doble, and raw emotion give this family show (ages 6–106) extra flair. After the great success of Carmen in 2022, Introdans brings back this full-length production in the winter months of 2025–2026.


The press on Carmen
“The strength of Carmen lies in its beautiful staging and playful group dances.” – de Volkskrant
“Ramírez Sansano’s production is beautiful in every way: music, dance, costumes, and set design. (…) The love and passion between Don José and Carmen leap off the stage.” – Theaterkrant
“Introdans’ Carmen is a bullseye.” – Theaterparadijs

Carmen will premiere on December 13, 2025 in Orpheus Apeldoorn.
Tour: Through March 1, 2026
Locations: Apeldoorn, Sittard, Gouda, Amersfoort, Rotterdam, Zwolle, Utrecht, Maastricht, Leeuwarden, Den Bosch, Enschede, Eindhoven, Deventer, Haarlem, Almere, Doetinchem, Zutphen, Amstelveen, The Hague
Experium: Visit the Carmen Experium in the theatre before the show and during intermission. This interactive experience for young and old lets you explore Carmen with all your senses. Includes a Meet & Greet with several dancers after the performance.

Agenda

Carmen

Apeldoorn, 19:30 h

Theater Orpheus (première)

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Apeldoorn, 19:30 h

Soon

Apeldoorn, 14:30 h

Theater Orpheus

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Apeldoorn, 14:30 h

Soon

Sittard, 19:30 h

Parkstad Limburg Theaters

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Sittard, 19:30 h

Soon

Gouda, 19:00 h

Goudse Schouwburg

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Gouda, 19:00 h

Soon

Amersfoort, 19:00 h

Flint

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Amersfoort, 19:00 h

Soon

Rotterdam, 19:00 h

Theater Rotterdam

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Rotterdam, 19:00 h

Soon

Zwolle, 19:00 h

Zwolse Theaters

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Zwolle, 19:00 h

Soon

Utrecht, 15:00 h

Stadsschouwburg Utrecht

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Utrecht, 15:00 h

Soon

Maastricht, 19:30 h

Theater aan het Vrijthof

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Maastricht, 19:30 h

Soon

Leeuwarden, 19:00 h

Stadsschouwburg De Harmonie

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Leeuwarden, 19:00 h

Soon

Den Bosch, 14:30 h

Theater aan de Parade

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Den Bosch, 14:30 h

Soon

Enschede, 14:30 h

Wilminktheater

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Enschede, 14:30 h

Soon

Eindhoven, 19:00 h

Parktheater Eindhoven

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Eindhoven, 19:00 h

Soon

Deventer, 19:00 h

Deventer Schouwburg

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Deventer, 19:00 h

Soon

Haarlem, 15:00 h

Stadsschouwburg Haarlem

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Haarlem, 15:00 h

Soon

Almere, 19:00 h

KAF | Kunstlinie Almere Flevoland

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Almere, 19:00 h

Soon

Doetinchem, 15:00 h

Theater Amphion

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Doetinchem, 15:00 h

Soon

Zutphen, 19:00 h

Hanzehof

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Zutphen, 19:00 h

Soon

Amstelveen, 19:00 h

Schouwburg Amstelveen

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Amstelveen, 19:00 h

Soon

Den Haag, 15:00 h

Amare

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Den Haag, 15:00 h

Soon

Carmen trailer, Audience reactions & photos

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Extra information

About the choreographer
Choreographer Gustavo Ramírez Sansano (1978, Spain) began his career as a dancer, performing with companies such as Nederlands Dans Theater. He has long since become a highly sought-after choreographer. His bold and seductive version of Carmen has been a worldwide success since its premiere in 2012. All over the world, this contemporary Carmen.maquia has captured the hearts of many young audiences.

Gustavo Ramírez Sansano deliberately gave his version of Carmen a slightly different name: Carmen.maquia. “I took inspiration from tauromaquia, the Spanish word for ‘the art of bullfighting.’ Pablo Picasso often compared Carmen to an untamable bull, so I removed ‘tauro’ and added ‘Carmen.’ Carmen the untamable!”

Carmen then and now
In 1845, a slim booklet was published in France that, more than 175 years later, still inspires artists all over the world. This novella by Prosper Mérimée tells the story of Don José Navarro’s desperate love for the beautiful, proud, and rebellious Roma woman Carmen. Thirty years later, composer Georges Bizet turned Mérimée’s tale into an opera. At first, Bizet’s Carmen was not a success—audiences thought Carmen was far too wild and were shocked by the story’s tragic ending. Yet the opera soon became one of the most famous ever created. The book and the opera have since inspired countless new interpretations of Carmen: a film by Charlie Chaplin, many opera versions, stage plays, musicals, paintings, a hip hopera with Beyoncé as Carmen, and even an ice show.
Well-known artists like Lana Del Rey and Stromae have released Carmen-inspired songs, and in the popular Netflix series Emily in Paris, an upbeat remix of L’amour est un oiseau rebelle makes an appearance. There are also many Carmen ballets. In addition to Gustavo Ramírez Sansano, famous choreographers like Roland Petit, Alberto Alonso, Mats Ek, Carlos Acosta, and—here in the Netherlands—Ted Brandsen have all drawn inspiration from Carmen’s timeless story.

Choreographer

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Gustavo Ramírez Sansano

Choreographer

Credits

Carmen

Choreography | Gustavo Ramírez Sansano

Music | Georges Bizet Carmen Suite performed by Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, Praha Philharmonic Orchestra, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestras, Arte Ensemble.
Pablo de Sarasate Carmen Fantasy Op. 25 performed by Apollo Symphony Orchestra

Set Design | Luis Crespo Portero
Lighting Design | David Hedinger-Wohnlich
Costume Design | Bregje van Balen

Set Construction | Mascha van Vugt
Costume Realisation | Hermien Hollander, Merel Kaspers

Staging | Eduardo Zúñiga
Rehearsal Coaches | Jorge Pérez Martínez, Marlena Wolfe

Duration | approx. 87 minutes

World Premiere | March 24, 2012 – Luna Negra Dance Theater, Chicago (US)
Introdans Premiere | December 10, 2022 – Arnhem

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