OVERVIEW

Jeroen Verbruggen's ballet loosely inspired by Henrik Ibsen's drama of the same name

Choreographer Jeroen Verbruggen
Music director Sander Teepen
Set designer Wolfgang Menardi
Costume designer Natalia Kitamikado
Lighting designer Daniel Tesař

To what extent do we shape our own identity—and how much is molded by the people who surround us? In his ballet adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s iconic Peer Gynt, choreographer Jeroen Verbruggen invites us to follow the journey of a young man who escapes the harsh truths of his life by retreating into a world of dreams and imagination. But how long can one run from oneself? Along the way, Peer encounters his mother Åse, the devoted Solveig, mysterious trolls, the alluring dancer Anitra, and other symbolic figures. Each encounter leaves its mark, guiding him in a new direction. Yet in the end, the journey inward becomes inevitable—Peer must face himself to truly understand who he is.

Choreographer Jeroen Verbruggen draws on the heart of Ibsen’s classic, revealing striking parallels with the modern world. “At its core, Peer Gynt is a story about life,” Verbruggen explains. “There’s fantasy in it, but it’s not a fairy tale—it feels more grounded, more real. It could easily be a story set in today’s world. I wasn’t so much interested in defining who Peer Gynt is, but rather in the people he encounters and the choices he makes. Whether it’s a bride or a troll, each figure shapes him in some way. That’s something I deeply relate to—throughout my life, the people I’ve met have made me who I am.”

Jeroen Verbruggen has created numerous acclaimed full-length ballets in collaboration with major companies and orchestras across Europe. A former dancer with leading ensembles including the Royal Ballet of Flanders and Les Ballets de Monte Carlo, he has dedicated himself entirely to choreography since 2014 and is now recognized as one of the prominent figures in contemporary ballet. In Peer Gynt, he brings his signature style—a dynamic fusion of classical and contemporary dance—enhanced by a bold and modern scenic design by renowned Austrian set designer Wolfgang Menardi. A multiple winner of Set Designer of the Year in Theater heute’s critics' poll and a two-time nominee for the German Deutscher Theaterpreis Der Faust, Menardi’s work adds a compelling visual dimension to Verbruggen’s interpretation.

World premiere on 22 May 2025 at the Antonín Dvořák Theatre