‘We are six billion people, imagine that if we were naked and lying down, we would cover the whole world with our skins' posits cutting edge choreographer Oliver Dubois.
This universalising, liberating perspective is given life in his visionary take on contemporary dance, Tragédie, where a figurative sense of stripped back is matched by the literal nakedness of the dancers. The performance comprises of 18 dancers aged from 22 to 51 years old, stripped bare, detached from any sociological and psychological context, presenting themselves in their original state. Their exposed nudity and the mechanical repetition of the powerful moves create an archaic and sacred dance involving body and soul. The show progressively engulfs the audience in a tribal atmosphere as it builds to a thrilling crescendo. This stark exposure of then human body isn't for the faint-hearted, but as the bodies collide and the movements merge a sense of transcendence builds to a liberating detachment from the individual form.
As part of Dubois Company’s cycle about Revolution, Tragédie, is the long-awaited London debut. It has already caused quite a stir at Avignon (the French festival at the forefront of contemporary performing art). Somewhat unsurprisingly the boundary-breaking nudity inspired backlash and accusations of 'decadence' from the conservative French National Front. But controversy hasn't held Dubois back. After an illustrious dance career that saw him perform for esteemed choreographer Angelin Preljocaj, Dubois turned his hand to choreography. Since then his work is renowned for being bold, progressive and intellectually stimulating.
If you are looking to be part of collective catharsis, this is the show for you. It is more than just a performance; It is a manifesto. It might not be easy viewing, but Tragédie promises to be a unique and hypnotic experience .
This universalising, liberating perspective is given life in his visionary take on contemporary dance, Tragédie, where a figurative sense of stripped back is matched by the literal nakedness of the dancers. The performance comprises of 18 dancers aged from 22 to 51 years old, stripped bare, detached from any sociological and psychological context, presenting themselves in their original state. Their exposed nudity and the mechanical repetition of the powerful moves create an archaic and sacred dance involving body and soul. The show progressively engulfs the audience in a tribal atmosphere as it builds to a thrilling crescendo. This stark exposure of then human body isn't for the faint-hearted, but as the bodies collide and the movements merge a sense of transcendence builds to a liberating detachment from the individual form.
As part of Dubois Company’s cycle about Revolution, Tragédie, is the long-awaited London debut. It has already caused quite a stir at Avignon (the French festival at the forefront of contemporary performing art). Somewhat unsurprisingly the boundary-breaking nudity inspired backlash and accusations of 'decadence' from the conservative French National Front. But controversy hasn't held Dubois back. After an illustrious dance career that saw him perform for esteemed choreographer Angelin Preljocaj, Dubois turned his hand to choreography. Since then his work is renowned for being bold, progressive and intellectually stimulating.
If you are looking to be part of collective catharsis, this is the show for you. It is more than just a performance; It is a manifesto. It might not be easy viewing, but Tragédie promises to be a unique and hypnotic experience .
| What | Olivier Dubois Company Tragédie at Sadler's Wells |
| Where | Sadler's Wells, Rosebery Avenue, London, EC1R 4TN | MAP |
| Nearest tube | Acton Town (underground) |
| When |
08 May 14 – 10 May 14, 7:30pm |
| Price | £12-£32 |
| Website | Click here to book via Sadler's Wells |