He never stops. He knows full well that if he did, the hamster in his head would take over, start crawling, running, spinning. Keeping the agitation at bay, letting blissful ignorance prevail. Doing everything to prevent this storm from drowning his soul.

The Idle Hour is a thought-provoking, non-verbal performance that explores the relentless pursuit of productivity in modern society. Set against a stark stage with a human-sized hamster wheel, the piece features two acrobats whose contrasting personalities —one frantic and the other calm— unfold through a series of physical interactions. The wheel becomes both a symbol and an instrument of their existential struggle: a metaphor for the endless race toward an elusive happiness.

CREDITS
Concept, Sound Creation, and Direction: Samuel Rhyner
Performance: Samuel Rhyner and William Blenkin
External Eye: Luuk Brantjes, Britt Timmermans
Musical Advice: Pierrick Bacher
Set Design Construction: Job Schuermans
Choreographic Advice: Pia Meuthen
Lighting Creation: Eligio Membrez
Technician: Jef Delva
Administration: Melanie Lamon
Production: Motus murmuri
Support: Fonds culturel de la Société Suisse des Auteurs(SSA) & ProCirque, pour-cent culturel Migros (CH), Circunstruction
Coproductions : Miramiro (Gent, BE)