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La Tendresse du ventre de la baleine (The Tenderness of the Whale's Belly) was already sold out and celebrated in Lausanne, Geneva, and Zurich—now the work is finally coming to Basel. Géraldine Chollet's latest group choreography began during a residency at the Kaserne Basel. All the more special to be now able to experience the resulting work at the place where it began.
Eight dancers move around and through the audience, between seat cushions, bodies, and gazes. Accompanied by singer and electric guitarist Billie Bird and the driving set by DJ MÂNAA, a collective whirlwind of movement emerges until exhaustion sets in. The performers break away from the ensemble, bursting out individually with expressive dance phrases, then finding their way back. Community forms and disintegrates. Inspired by the biblical story of Jonah in the belly of the whale, an evening of constant transformation unfolds, in which difference remains present and familiar notions of how community is formed are charmingly outwitted. A dance event that allows for confrontation and tenderness – and has a lasting effect.
You sit on cushions in the middle of the room. A few chairs are available.
Duration: approx. 60 min.
Biography
A graduate of the Laban Centre in London, Géraldine Chollet has developed an artistic path at the crossroads of dance and theatre. She has collaborated as a performer with several companies, including Cie Jessica Huber, Cie Prototype-Status, Cie Philippe Saire, and Cie Unplush. In parallel, she has also worked as an actress with Cie Émilie Charriot and Fair Cie.
She trained with Ohad Naharin and the Batsheva Dance Company in teaching the Gaga movement language, which she transmitted from 2008 to 2025 in many contexts, notably at La Manufacture – HETSR, with Cie Philippe Saire, and at Annexe 36 in Lausanne.
After nearly twenty years devoted to transmission, she chose to withdraw from the Gaga label for personal and political reasons and now continues teaching movement outside that institutional framework.
Since 2011, Géraldine has been developing her choreographic work with Cie Rahu LaMo and has created several pieces, including ITMAR, OUVERTURE — piece for dancers and a walking audience — and The Tenderness of the belly of the whale.
Alongside her artistic practice, she has trained in spiritual care in hospital settings. She also coaches singers and contemporary music performers in stage presence (Fondation FMA / Les Docks and Opération Iceberg / Fondation CMA).
In 2024, Géraldine was artist in residence at Kaserne Basel.
Géraldine Chollet is the recipient of the 2025 Swiss Performing Arts Award.
Credits
Concept & Choreography: Géraldine Chollet
Choreography in collaboration with the dancers: Jessica Tamsin Allemann, Johanna Robyn Closuit, Karine Dahouindji, Victor Dumont, Bilal El Had, Bast Hippocrate, Maïté Maeum Jeannolin, David Zagari
Associate Director & Dramaturgy: Dan Watson
Additional dancers: Mélissa Guex, Eléonore Heiniger
Vocals and guitar: Billie Bird
DJ: Iman Waser / MÂNAA
Dramaturgy: Adina Secretan, Jessica Huber
Light design: Selim Dir Melaizi
Light technician: Victor Schwab
Technical direction: Nidea Henriques
Costumes: Maarten Van Mulken
Assistant: Claire Nicholas
Set design consultation: Sarah André, Thérèse Weibel
Assistants: Trân Tran, Tamara Lysek
Sound engineering: Raphaël Raccuia
Production, distribution and development: Maxine Devaud / oh la la - performing arts production
A Production by: Cie Rahu LaMo
A Co-production by: Théâtre Vidy - Lausanne, Pavillon ADC - Geneva, LAC - Lugano Arte e Cultura, Gessnerallee, Kaserne Basel
Support: Label+ romand, État de Vaud, Ville de Lausanne, Loterie Romande, Pro Helvetia, Ernst Göhner Stiftung
Thank to Théâtre Sévelin 36 und Arsenic – Centre d’art scénique contemporain.
Content Notes
Currently, there are no specific notes on content that we or the artists would like to share with the audience. If you have any specific questions about content notes, the venue representative will be available on the evening of the performance.
