Katerina Andreou's 'How Romantic' Premieres at Festival d'Avignon 2026
At the 2026 Festival d'Avignon, Greek choreographer Katerina Andreou presents 'How Romantic' with the Norwegian company Carte Blanche, directed by Anabelle Bonnery. The piece runs from July 13 to 16 at La FabricA. Featuring 14 dancers, the performance combines samba rhythms by Cristian Sotomayor with a physically demanding, almost exhausting dance style, evoking Sydney Pollack's film 'They Shoot Horses, Don't They?' The set includes a black catwalk and U-shaped lighting rigs with violet and yellow gels, creating a kitschy aesthetic. While the group's cohesion and physical prowess impress, the piece is criticized for lacking deeper narrative, with a repetitive obstacle-jump finale that feels overly literal. Despite this, audiences appreciate the flawless execution. Photos by Øystein Haara.
Key facts
- Katerina Andreou choreographed 'How Romantic' for Carte Blanche at Festival d'Avignon 2026.
- The performance runs July 13–16 at La FabricA.
- Carte Blanche is directed by Anabelle Bonnery and based in Bergen, Norway.
- The piece features 14 dancers.
- Music is by Cristian Sotomayor, with samba rhythms.
- Set includes a black catwalk and U-shaped lighting rigs with violet and yellow gels.
- The work references Sydney Pollack's film 'They Shoot Horses, Don't They?'
- Photos by Øystein Haara.
Entities
Artists
- Katerina Andreou
- Anabelle Bonnery
- Miet Warlop
- Cristian Sotomayor
- Sydney Pollack
- Øystein Haara
Institutions
- Carte Blanche – The Norwegian National Company of Contemporary Dance
- Festival d'Avignon
- La FabricA
- Compagnie Carte Blanche
Locations
- Avignon
- France
- Bergen
- Norway
- Rio de Janeiro
- Brazil