When does Notes of Self take place?

The performance begins on Friday, November 20, 2026, at 10:00 AM at tanzhaus nrw in Düsseldorf.

How long does the performance last?

The dance performance lasts about 40 minutes.

What age is Notes of Self suitable for?

The performance is aimed at all age groups and is suitable for children aged 5 and older.

How much does admission cost?

Admission for the morning performance is 4 Euros per child or young person. Accompanying adults receive free admission.

Where does the event take place?

Notes of Self will be performed at tanzhaus nrw, Erkrather Straße 30, 40233 Düsseldorf.

Who is behind the production?

The production is by James Batchelor and Collaborators, co-produced with Sophiensælen.

Notes of Self: When Expressionist Dance and Childlike Fantasy Transform the Stage

Name: James Batchelor & Collaborators: Notes of Self
Start: 2026-11-20T10:00:00+01:00
End: 2026-11-20T10:40:00+01:00
Location: tanzhaus nrw

A Solo that Reinvents Dance

When a body becomes memory, echo, and an independent storyteller, Notes of Self begins. James Batchelor and his collaborators combine intellect and emotion at tanzhaus nrw into a polyphonic solo that opens new pathways to stage art for both children and adults.

Between Expressionist Dance and Childlike Fantasy

The production draws from James Batchelor's research on the diasporic history of expressionist dance in Australia. An avant-garde dance tradition meets the immediate joy of movement from children. This results in a choreography that is both historically aware and radically present.

A Dramaturgy from Many Perspectives

In Notes of Self, the perspectives of young audiences shape not only the movements but also the dramaturgy. What stands out? What fascinates? What lingers in memory? The solo transforms these questions into a dynamic conversation between generations, bodies, and modes of perception.

A Sensory Stage Experience for All Ages

The artistry of the body is at the center of this dance performance. Lighting design, costumes, and composition create an open stage space where every movement gains meaning. Morgan Hickinbotham is responsible for the music, Veslemøy Rustad Holseter for the lighting design, and Cote Jaña Zuñiga for the costume design. The approximately 40-minute performance is aimed at people aged five and older and invites both experienced dance lovers and curious theater newcomers.

For Children, Adults, and First Theater Experiences

The production approaches its young audience at eye level. It does not tell through grand explanations but through rhythm, presence, and a language of movement that allows room for personal discoveries. This is where its special strength lies: The stage experience emerges in direct exchange between performer, space, and audience reaction.

Conclusion: Notes of Self promises a concentrated, imaginative dance performance as part of the take-off festival. Those who want to experience how expressionist dance, contemporary choreography, and childlike imagination engage in conversation will find an extraordinary theater experience for multiple generations here.