Café Müller

In this modern dance piece, which is set in the café Pina Bausch used to frequent during her childhood years in post-war Germany, chairs play an integral role. Crowding the stage, they outnumber the dancers and are constantly moved around and thrown about during the performance.

In anticipation of the next production of ‘Café Mueller’, here is a selection of chairs we think would constitute the best corps de chaise:

The Armchair 423  by Artek has similar stark lines to the chair used in the 1985 Café Muller production (above), but with arm which would increase the desired impression of clutter  and congestion. 

Chair 66, by Alvar Aalto for Artek, has a distinctly Scandinvian look which keeps the intended institutional feel, without being so ‘interrogation room’.

 Designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara and revived by Artek, the ‘Domus’ chair’s arm structure has the elbowy-awkwardness yet strange beauty of Bausch’s choreography.

Masters Chair

A lot lighter and easily stackable, the ‘Masters’ chair by Philippe Starck for Kartell seems like it would be the set crew’s first pick, although its dainty legs and expressive lines indubitably identify it one of the dancers. 

Neve chair

With its tightly bowed curves, the ‘Neve’ chair by Piero Lissoni speaks more to the aftermath of the war on the Eastern front (Café Murakami?).

 Tudor chair

Because you can’t put a ‘Naval’ chair on the stage at the Opera Garnier, the ‘Tudor’ chair by Jaime Hayon for Established and Sons is a good dressier option for a more lavish interior.

 As far as dance performances go, ‘Café Mueller’ has a fair amount of stunts. Between constantly bumping into the furniture and falling out of each other’s arms, it’s a surprise the dancers don’t turn black and blue after a few performances.  Why not limit the damage by putting out nice comfy ‘Sacco’ chairs rather than the usual hard-edged seat?

Victoria ghost

What better way to make reference to the ghost of chairs past, than by specifying the ‘Ghost’ chair itself? Also makes the bumping into furniture all the time a lot more credible, bringing the focus back to the dancers. 

Meda Slim

Putting on ‘Café Mueller’ with the theater/dance group from work? The ‘Meda Slim’ by Antonio Citterio for Vitra is the perfect chair for an office production of this compelling work.

 And lastly, let us not forget our cherished bambini and their end of the year show: the ‘N65’ children’s chair by Artek should do the trick.

Claire Toussaint