A contemporary reinvention of iceskating shows, Le Patin Libre sharpens its blades once again for a frosty new opus. Dizziness guaranteed.
With years of practice at the highest level in so-called “figure skating”, the members of Patin Libre caused a sensation in 2014 when they unveiled Vertical Influences, a choreography on ice heir to the great currents of contemporary dance. “We enjoy what makes skating unique and legitimate as an artistic medium: gliding. Dancers and acrobats all have to walk, run, tumble and jump. We, on the other hand, can glide at high speed without moving at all,” says Alexandre Hamel. There's a sense of vertigo in the air as Le Patin Libre evolves. “We use speed to write our choreographic poetry. Still supported by playwright Ruth Little, Le Patin Libre once again promises to defy gravity. Threshold is a choreographic exploration of a crucial moment of change and danger. It is both accessible through its athletic virtuosity and meaningful through its reflections on trauma, transformation and the return to life.
credits
Choreography Le Patin Libre (Alexandre Hamel, Pascale Jodoin, Samory Ba, Jasmin Boivin, Taylor Dilley) Original music Jasmin Boivin Playwright Ruth Little Lighting Lucy Carter, Sean Gleason Costumes Pascale Jodoin Technical direction and sound engineer David Babin
Co-production Danse Danse, Dance Umbrella, NAC, Théâtre de la Ville de Paris, Nuits de Fourvière de Lyon Financial support CALQ, CAM Support in creative residency The Yard, Martha's Vineyard, Patinoire Le Dôme, Laon, France, YMCA Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, Plateau Mont-Royal borough, Atrium 1000 De La Gauchetière, Municipality of Ferme-Neuve, Municipality of St-André-Avelin