When People Used to Die
Originally created by (LA)HORDE in 2014 | reworked for VERVE in 2024
Costume Andi Walker · Choreography & Direction LA(HORDE): Marine Brutti, Jonathan Debrouwer, Arthur Harel, Céline Signoret · Original Score Guillaume Rémus · Rework Tutor Céline Signoret · Jumpstyle & Hakken Contributors Kevin Martinelli & Edgar Scassa · Lighting design Chris Yates (originally designed by Thomas Godefroid) · Photography Elly Welford · Video Genevieve Reeves
When People Used to Die is an inspiring rework of the original choreographic piece Avant les gens mouraient, created for VERVE 24. The original was crafted in 2014 for l’École de Danse Contemporaine de Montréal (EDCM) reinterpreting the gestures of Hardjump, Hakken (gabber scene) and Jumpstyle.
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For this commission with Northern School of Contemporary Dance and La Horde, representing the aesthetic of the 90’s was pivotal. It allowed me to meld my own experiences of the 90’s queer rave culture into the styling and construction of the individual identities within the performance.
Working closely with Céline, the rework tutor, our collaborative approach to sourcing appropriate clothing and footwear resulted in scouring charity shops and online platforms to find pieces that captured the authentic essence of the 90s scene.
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Footwear, predominantly Nike Air Max, was selected for its iconic status and practical benefits. Given the high-impact nature of the choreography, it was essential to choose trainers that could absorb the shock and withstand the rigorous endurance required by the dancers. This fusion of past influences and contemporary performance techniques creates a powerful homage to the 90s rave era.
