The Whole Routine is a new musical performance about control and longing by Edward Thomasson. This ambitious work uses song and dance to explore how patterns of behaviour develop to manage the discomfort of vulnerability. Harmonies falter, gestures fall flat, and routines fall out of time but the group keeps trying, and imperfect connections form. Developed over three years through weekend workshops and public presentations, The Whole Routine describes attempts at breaking the numb repetitions of conventional interaction and the sometimes alarming awkwardness of trying to feel things differently.

The ensemble brings a range of experiences to the work: some have formal training; others sing in community choirs or perform in more informal settings. Each performer finds their own distinct way through the song and dance sequences. They perform side by side, together but separate.

The piece is performed imperfectly: slippage, mistakes and false starts are hoped for. Performers are encouraged to follow each other if they get lost at any point, but it’s not a mistake to get lost. The intention of the piece is to gently hold these various approaches and incoherencies together.

Book, Lyrics & ChoreographyEdward Thomasson

MusicRobbie EllenCharlotte Harding

PerformersAdrian QuintonAndrew KertonClara AnderssonEdward ThomassonPenelope GranycomeSimon TippingYasmine Holness-Dove

Dramaturgy

Bendix Feserfeldt

Production ManagerCarolina Ongaro

Somatic FacilitationAndrew Kerton

Viewpoints FacilitationValerie McCann

Commissioned byLondon Performance Studios

TouringFri 29 & Sat 30 May, London Performance Studios, LondonSat 4 July, Nottingham Contemporary, NottinghamMore venues TBC

Support2026 performances of The Whole Routine are made possible with support from Simon Bishop, Wolfgang Tillmans, Dorothea Jendricke, and The Name Painting Supporters Circle.