CANCEL BERTHA

CANCEL BERTHA – an anagram of Carte Blanche – is a dance performance that moves to its own rhythm – a playful blend of energy, curated chaos, and unexpected creativity. The performance reflects Belgian choreographer Jan Martens’ signature approach: reimagining dance as a space for individuality, connection, and subtle humor. Scenes flow seamlessly from one moment to the next, blurring the boundaries between moments of ecstatic group energy and sequences of suspended intimacy.

In CANCEL BERTHA, music isn’t always what you hear—it’s what you see and feel. True to Martens’ fascination with rhythm, structure, and music scores, the dancers’ movements become their own soundscape. Silence holds as much weight as motion, and geometric patterns emerge in delightful ways.

Carte Blanche is the Norwegian National Company of Contemporary Dance. Based in Bergen, the ensemble tours worldwide. With CANCEL BERTHA, the Carte Blanche ensemble crafts a performance that balances the poppy, the avant-garde, and the deeply human.

Collage: Luke Drozd

Practical information

Please note: Strobe lights are used in CANCEL BERTHA. It is a calm, pulsing strobe that lasts for approx. 3 mins. The strobe light effect is used approx. 50 mins into the performance.

Artist talk

After the performance on Friday 23 May, there will be a conversation with choreographer Jan Martens and Carte Blanche dancers.

Families welcome

On Saturday 24 May, there will be a family-friendly performance of CANCEL BERTHA.

Contributors

• Jan Martens choreography

• Joris van Oosterwijk scenography

• Elke Verachtert lighting design

• Naomi Gibson choreography assistant

• Indrani Balgobin costume design

• Adrian Bartczak, Aslak Aune Nygård, Brecht Bovijn, Dawid Lorenc, Gaspard Schmitt, Ihsaan de Banya, Irene Vesterhus Theisen, Iris Auguste, Mai Lisa Guinoo, Nadege Kubwayo, Noam Eidelman Shatil, Ola Korniejenko, Ole Martin Meland, Olha Mykolayivna Stetsyuk dance

A co-production between

Bergen International Festival and Carte Blanche