Celebrate menopause with us!
*When the Bleeding Stops* is a performance that addresses the silence and taboo that seem to constantly haunt menopause. Hot flashes, mood swings, and dry mucous membranes are examined and addressed in this heartwarming work by Lovísa Ósk Gunnarsdóttir.
On stage, we meet Lovísa and her dancers, who—together with twelve local women—share stories laced with shame, humor, and empathy. Drawing on their personal experiences, they invite us to celebrate this legendary phase known as menopause.
A Dance Piece Takes Shape
Lovísa Ósk Gunnarsdóttir from Iceland is an award-winning dancer and choreographer who trained at the Stockholm Ballet Academy. After sixteen years with Iceland’s National Dance Company, she suffered an injury that forced her to reevaluate her relationship with dance, her body, and her artistic practice.
This process, combined with her own reflections on aging, made her aware of the silence surrounding menopause and the gaps in her own knowledge on the subject.
She began conducting research and interviewing women going through menopause, and eventually earned a master’s degree in Performance Practice from the Iceland Academy of the Arts.
From this research and Gunnarsdóttir’s own living-room dancing, the dance piece *When the Bleeding Stops* was born.
As said by participants
“One of the best decisions I’ve ever made was when I decided to take part in the dance performance *When the Bleeding Stops*. I stepped way outside my comfort zone, but the reward has been amazing!”
Ósk Ebenesersdóttir, contestant from Iceland
“The best feeling is the joy of living. Through dance, I have less pain, and now my creativity is flourishing. Lovísa and her group made me feel welcome, included, and equal—even though they’re professionals. It was an amazing feeling of acceptance. I want to keep going and do more shows. I really hope this important work continues. There’s a lot of research to be done on women who suddenly or gradually lose their identity—and don’t even understand what’s happening to them.”
Sidsel Rosen, participant from Norway
Cast
Concept, choreography, and text
Lovísa Ósk Gunnarsdóttir
Lighting and Sound Design
Brett Smith
Video Design
Lovísa Ósk Gunnarsdóttir with Brett Smith
Dancer
Lovísa Ósk Gunnarsdóttir, Kristjana Stefánsdóttir, Ólöf Ingólfsdóttir, Sveinbjörg Þórhallsdóttir
Thanks to
Sigrún Ólafsdóttir, Alexander Graham Roberts, Brogan Davison, Rebekka Ingimundardóttir, Egill Ingibergsson, Valdimar Jóhannsson, Reykjavík Dance Festival, Performing Arts Centre Iceland
A special thank you to
All the amazing women who have participated in the project
In collaboration with
Umeå Theater Association
Presented by
Dansnät Sverige, with support from the Swedish Arts Council
Before Your Visit
The experience at Norrlandsoperan extends beyond our auditoriums. You can order light meals and drinks to enjoy before the dance performance begins. Our catering partners from Gotthards Krog, Kajen, and Kulturbageriet do everything they can to enhance your visit to the Norrlandsoperan with a selection of delicious sandwiches, pastries, coffee, soft drinks, wine, sparkling wine, and beer.
The food service area opens one hour before the start.
