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THE DOG DAYS ARE OVER 2.0

26 Jun 2026 - 28 Jun 2026
8:00PM (Fri) , 8:00PM (Sat), 3:00PM (Sun)
The Box, Freespace


Introduction 

THE DOG DAYS ARE OVER was hailed as a revelation when it premiered in 2014. Nieuwsblad raved: “Open all pores to this gem. And above all, don’t forget to breathe.” The production marked Jan Martens’ breakthrough, touring internationally more than 100 times. Now, in 2026, Martens and GRIP bring this landmark work to Hong Kong with a brand‑new cast. 

Inspired by photographer Philippe Halsman’s famous observation that jumping strips away masks to reveal the true self, Martens builds a radical choreography around relentless repetition. Eight dancers are propelled through complex, mathematical, and exhausting sequences in strict uniformity. As they strive for perfection, inevitable faltering exposes raw vulnerability and humanity. 

This powerful work confronts audiences with urgent questions: Where is the line between art and entertainment? How do we respond to performers’ endurance and suffering? Is contemporary dance a spectacle for the elite? A decade later, these provocations remain strikingly relevant. THE DOG DAYS ARE OVER invites audiences not just to watch, but to reflect—transforming passive witnesses into active participants in a visceral exploration of compassion, endurance, and the very essence of performance. 

  • Suitable for ages 6 and above.
  • The running time of the performance is approximately 70 without intermission. 
  • Audience members are advised to arrive punctually, latecomers will not be admitted.


Creative team list

Jan Martens

Born in Belgium in 1984, Jan Martens studied at the Fontys Dance Academy in Tilburg and graduated from the Artesis Royal Conservatoire of Antwerp in 2006. Since 2010 he has developed a distinctive choreographic voice, presenting works nationally and internationally with growing acclaim. 

Martens’ creations are rooted in the belief that every body can communicate, every body has something to say. His works are transparent in form, offering space for observation, emotion, and reflection. Rather than inventing a new movement language, he reshapes existing idioms in fresh contexts, continually redrawing the relationship between performer and audience. 

His debut I CAN RIDE A HORSE WHILST JUGGLING SO MARRY ME (2010) was followed by A SMALL GUIDE ON HOW TO TREAT YOUR LIFETIME COMPANION (2011) and SWEAT BABY SWEAT (2011), both widely recognized. Later works include BIS (2012), LA BÊTE (2013), VICTOR (2013), and THE DOG DAYS ARE OVER (2014), selected for Het TheaterFestival. RULE OF THREE (2017), created with sound artist NAH, was nominated for the prestigious Zwaan award. 

Recent highlights include any attempt will end in crushed bodies and shattered bones (2020, Festival d’Avignon), the solo ELISABETH GETS HER WAY (2021, Julidans), and FUTUR PROCHE (2022, Festival d’Avignon). More recent projects include VOICE NOISE (2024), CANCEL BERTHA (2025, Carte Blanche), and THE DOG DAYS ARE OVER 2.0 (2025, Biennale de la danse de Lyon). 

Martens is co‑artistic director of GRIP and associate artist at Opera Ballet Vlaanderen, DE SINGEL Antwerp, La Comédie de Clermont-Ferrand SN, Maison de la danse Lyon, and Lyon Dance Biennale. His work has earned the Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds Prize (2014), the Charlotte Köhler Prize (2015), and in 2023 he was knighted in France as Chevalier in the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. 




Choreography: Jan Martens

Rehearsal director / Artistic assistance: Naomi Gibson 

Artistic assistance / Coaching: Steven Michel, Piet Defrancq 

Performers: 8 out of these dancers: Pierre Bastin, Camilla Bundel, Jim Buskens, Zoë Chungong,  Simon Lelièvre, Florence Lenon, Elisha Mercelina, Dan Mussett, Pierre  Adrien Touret, Zora Westbroek, Maisie Woodford, Paolo Yao 

Original cast: Piet Defrancq, Naomi Gibson, Nelle Hens, Julien Josse,  Kimmy Ligtvoet, Cherish Menzo, Steven Michel, Laura Vanborm  and/or Morgane Ribbens, Ilse Ghekiere, Victor Dumont, Connor  Schumacher, Caspar Knops, Amerigo Delli Bove, Daniel Barkan 

Dramaturgy: Renée Copraij  

Lighting design: Jan Fedinger 

Costume Styling 2025: Sofie Durnez

Tour technicians on Tour: Michel Spang, Elke Verachtert, Nele Verreyken

Graphic design: Nick Mattan

Graphic design internship: Joëlle Desmet

Physiotherapy and Osteopathy: Fourward Gent, Inge Haeyaert, Lode Verreyen


Credit list 

Production: GRIP (Francisca Alves, Hanne Doms, Anneleen Hermans, Rudi Meulemans, Klaartje Oerlemans, Jennifer Piasecki, Sylvie Svanberg, Nele Verreyken, Kato Wilms)
International Distribution: A propic / Line Rousseau, Marion Gauvent
Partners 2023-2027: La Comédie de Clermont-Ferrand SN, Maison de la danse/Pôle européen de création, en soutien à la Biennale de Lyon
DOG DAYS 2014 Co-production: Frascati Producties, SPRING performing arts festival, DansBrabant, La Briqueterie CDC du Val-de-Marne, tanzhaus nrw, TAKT Dommelhof
DOG DAYS 2025 Co-production: Theater Rotterdam, DE SINGEL, Le Carreau – Scène nationale de Forbach et de l’Est Mosellan, Perpodium
DOG DAYS 2014 with the financial support of: The Government of Flanders and Performing Arts Fund NL
DOG DAYS 2025 with the financial support of: The Flemish Government, Tax Shelter of the Belgian Federal Government via Cronos Invest, bpost's Star4U fund
DOG DAYS 2014 with the support of: workspacebrussels en wpZimmer
DOG DAYS 2014 thanks to: Dansateliers, Conny Janssen Danst, JAN, ICKamsterdam
DOG DAYS 2025 thanks to: Opera Ballet Vlaanderen, c o r s o



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