Shows

Conversations

Conversations is a premiere by multi-talented choreographer/writer Serge Bennathan featuring Billy Marchenski and Danny Wild.

Based on an imaginary encounter between great Spanish poet and playwright Federico Garcia Lorca (murdered by pro-Franco militias in 1936) and Juan Luis Trescastro (his assassin), this work explores the juxtaposition of poetry with history and how in Franco’s Spain, poetry was a tool, if not a weapon, to battle injustice.

Conversations positions the brutality of one against the poetry of the other, but the truth is roles are not as clear as they seem, and this revelation slowly unveils itself throughout the performance.

The Strange Adventure of Myself

The Strange Adventure of Myself is a new a solo work created for dancer Sylvain Senez. It premièred in Vancouver at the Firehall Theatre on October 15th, 2009. 

The Strange Adventure of Myself is inspired by discussions about life, age, and art, but above all it is about dance. Choreographer Serge Bennathan describes the work's creation: “I entered this exploration, this voyage, with all the love, tenderness that I have for this art form, thinking about the extreme vulnerability and courage of the dancer.” The Strange Adventure of Myself is a study of dance and memories of dance – of a life in dance and the dance of life. It is a performance about the effect on the present of all past generations of dancers throughout the world.

Bennathan says “a phrase by Jean Genet describes very well the galaxy where I encouraged Sylvain Senez to immerse himself: You are an artist, alas, you can no longer refuse to confront the awful precipice of your eyes.” In The Strange Adventure of Myself, biography, autobiography, truth, lies, physicality, and stillness all find their place. The work of the dancer is a constant, humble, beautiful and formidably egotistical attempt at grace.

Slam for a Time Traveller

Slam for a Time Traveller was commissioned by Dancing on The Edge Festival for its 20th anniversary in July 2008.  Featuring the talents of Michelle Rhode, Donald Sales and Ann Cooper, Slam was inspired by voice, poetry and movement.  Featuring moody lighting and hanging microphones, these three dancers evoke a strong sense of With music by Arne Eigenfeldt, lighting by James Proudfoot and costumes by Linda Chow, this 20-minute piece was paired with a choreography by Peter Bingham and another by Alvin Tolentino to make an evening of dance called Edge 5. 

Manga

MANGA takes its inspiration from the sense of continuous movement featured in the Japanese comic book tradition of the same name. Employing this “manga-style”, the two dancers are at once subtle, poetic and ferocious. Lifted by the exquisite music of Bertrand Chenier, the audience will be taken on an emotional journey that is propelled by the dancers’ extreme physicality, stillness and delicate movements.

Read more about Manga!

The Invisible Life of Joseph Finch

Premiered in Chutzpah! Festival (Feb. 2007) – now heading to Singapore Fringe Festival (Jan. 2008)

The Invisible Life of Joseph Finch is a bittersweet and poetic remembrance from a holocaust survivor to his long-lost daughter that combines autobiography, childhood memories, scraps of recipes, larger-than-life characters and the unspeakable memories that each holocaust survivor carries.

Read more about Finch!