DéBaTailles

As cruel as a political debate, as savage as a school playground, as strict as a wrestling bout, as animated as a trading floor, the arena of “DéBaTailles” is a new area of confrontation.

As cruel as a political debate, as savage as a school playground, as strict as a wrestling bout, as animated as a trading floor, the arena of “DéBaTailles” is a new area of confrontation. The performance unfolds like a competition. Two teams (the fair-haired against the dark!) square up to each other in dance challenges. The performers can move from one camp to the other by changing wigs. Like in a debate, the candidates oppose one another with elegance and courtesy but blows below the belt are allowed. They launch mercilessly into battle: their weapons are fantasy, ingenuity, derision, humour and a hint of meanness.

“I have always been fascinated by ‘social dances’: from traditional dances to hip-hop battles. In these traditional choreographies there is a basic rapport with dance that places the person at the heart of a group. The choreography is organised according to an internal logic, a culture, a history. It is not turned towards the exterior (an abstract audience) but towards the group as a whole. It is fascinating to play with these codes and to invent new traditions. This provides an inexhaustible mine of games. I like to construct the bases of a new folklore and dance them as if they were ancestral. The challenge (imposing oneself on the group) is a natural component of group dances. It obviously has its place in our battles.”

Denis Plassard

Credits

Choreography Denis Plassard Dance performance Compagnie ProposConception, direction Denis Plassard With the complicity of the interpreters Xavier Gresse, Sylvain Julien, Jim Krummenacker, Vincent Martinez, Denis Plassard Musicians (interpretation, composition) Nicolas Allemand or Quentin Allemand (percussions), Jean-Paul Hervé (guitar), Norbert Pignol (accordion) Lightening lumières Nicolas Boudier scenography Nicolas Boudier, Denis Plassard Costumes Béatrice Vermande, Julie Lascoumes, Natacha Costechareire Wig José De PedroRehearsal coach Géraldine MainguetGeneral set Sébastien Revel régie lumières Nicolas Boudier ou Dominique Legland Sound Éric Dutrievoz ou Emmanuel SauleduboisCoproduction Maison de la Danse/Lyon, Château-Rouge/Annemasse, Le Théâtre/Le Puy-en-Velay, Théâtre Durance/Château-Arnoux-St-Auban, Compagnie ProposProject supported by the Rhône-Alpes Region within the framework of the APSV “Réseau des villes”Compagnie Propos is subsidized by the Ministry of Culture (DRAC Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes), the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region and by the City of Lyon.Video production Charles Picq date of the video document 2008 production Maison de la DanseDuration of the work 1h20