Woman and flesh, beauty and impermanence, raw and tender. An uncontrollable desire overwhelms the dancers. A desire for fulfilment, both physical and mental. They are torn between attractiveness, sensuality, lust, carnality, fame, success, reflection, control and stillness. Act on the urges or control them. Bodies in ecstasy.

In Co(te)lette Ann Van den Broek shows three female dancers is an intimate setting, caught in a vicious circle between desire and fulfilment. There is no confrontation, there is no rivalry, there is no narrative – no solution, no end. Co(te)lette is a restless and ultimately… empty portrait.

Co(te)lette is a performance from 2007. This reprise almost twenty years later is of particular importance in the current neo-conservative era. It confronts us with the stagnating emancipation of women and the erosion of the right to one’s own interpretation of sexuality and physicality. At the same time, in the personal domain of Ann Van den Broek, it is also a confrontation with the passing of time. 

The original performance of Co(te)lette was awarded the Swan for the most impressive dance production of the 2007-2008 season. The performance was previously seen at Lowlands and toured internationally with performances in London, Montreal, Beijing, Lublin, Munich and Helsinki.

concept and choreography Ann Van den Broek
assistent Frauke Mariën
music Arne Van Dongen
muziek editing and mix Arne Van Dongen, Yves De Mey
llight design Bernie van Velzen
styling cosumes Ann Van den Broek
photography Alexander D’Hiet
premiere May 6 2026, De Nieuwe Vorst, Tilburg (NL)

WArd/waRD is financial supported by the Fonds Podiumkunsten and the City of Tilburg.

photo credit: Alexander D’Hiet