text by Lara Monro

In the ever-evolving world of contemporary dance, few voices are as distinct as (LA)HORDE. Founded in 2013 by Marine Brutti, Jonathan Debrouwer, and Arthur Harel, (LA)HORDE is a collective that questions the codes of various artistic disciplines, particularly contemporary dance and performing arts. The trio—who have led the Ballet National de Marseille since September 2019—are the creative force behind some of the most innovative choreographic works, films, video installations, and performances of recent years. Their work always centers around the body in movement, evolving through an interplay of different media to explore radically contemporary themes and social questions.

Their latest work, Age of Content, will take center stage at Sadler’s Wells East on March 14–15, as part of the Dance Reflections Festival by Van Cleef & Arpels. 

(LA)HORDE’s reach extends far beyond traditional dance circles; including music, fashion, and photography. They’ve collaborated with Sam Smith on the viral music videos for Unholy and I’m Not Here to Make Friends, worked with the visionary Spike Jonze (Ghosts), and recently took on the role of artistic directors of choreography for Madonna’s Celebration Tour. Their creative partnerships with Christine and the Queens, designer Glenn Martens, and photographer Harley Weir showcase their talent to merge movement with aesthetic and social commentary.

Their latest work, Age of Content, is a bold interrogation of our digital era. It’s a fusion of Bob Fosse’s theatricality and the hyper-modern rhythms of the TikTok generation. The performance places eighteen dancers in a world where virtual and physical bodies collide—blurring the lines between reality and avatars. In costumes designed by Paris-based stylist Salomé Poloudenny, the performers navigate a choreographic labyrinth of Instagram filters, viral dance trends, and action movie choreography.

Movement becomes a battleground, where dance styles as varied as twerking, hip-centric jazz, vogueing, and postmodern dance reflect the digital temptations of contemporary life. The performers exist in a space where the body is simultaneously liberated and constrained by the screens that surround it—trapped in a metaverse of endless possibilities and exhausting illusions.

“Since we were very young, we've escaped through networks, video games, literature and films. These are the spaces that give us a window on the world, and we wanted to talk about the acceleration of the global multiverse.” – Jonathan Debrouwer

“In the show, we also want to showcase how dance is one of the last refuges, a zone in which the body is not used for utilitarian purposes.” – Marine Brutti

(LA)HORDE doesn’t just choreograph movement; they choreograph meaning. Their work is deeply intertwined with themes of queerness, gender, and revolution. Techno plays a central role in their artistic language, both as a sonic backdrop and as a symbol of resistance. Their piece Marry Me in Bassiani revisits a massive rave protest in Georgia, where thousands gathered to demand freedom in the wake of a police raid on a queer-friendly club. Through dance, they reimagine these moments of collective action and defiance, reinforcing their commitment to the practice as both an artistic and political force.

Fashion, too, becomes a statement. The team understands that clothing is more than just an aesthetic choice—it’s a political act.

“If you put a pair of trousers, a skirt or a dress on a dancer, if you choose one aesthetic rather than another, you’re saying completely different things.”

This philosophy underpins Age of Content, where every costume choice, every movement, and every beat pulses with subversion. It’s an exploration of survival, confrontation, sexuality, and desire in an age where digital selves often feel more real than the flesh-and-blood versions. Where screens mediate our every experience, it also asks: what happens to the human body when it’s constantly tempted by digital possibilities? Ultimately, the piece is a reflection of the world we live in, an exploration of the tensions between real and virtual, between movement and stillness, between body and avatar.