After a two-year hiatus due to restrictions due to the health crisis, the L’imprudanse festival is back for new meetings strong in sharing and emotion. Ten days, ten shows and numerous activities to put dance in the spotlight. The director of Théâtres en Dracénie, Maria Claverie-Ricard, talks about this 6th edition while waiting for the curtain to rise on Thursday.
You are presenting a particularly rich program for this 6th edition. A way to catch up on the two seasons off?
For L’imprudanse there is a big expectation, both from the teams, from the public, from the artists. It’s a really intense moment. Usually, the festival took place over four days, here we are over a big week. Indeed, the festival is denser and it is voluntary. There are more encounters, conviviality, side things that echo (a documentary, an exhibition of 45 unpublished photos by Guy Delhaye, master classes, workshops, a party for children). It is a course around the show. Ten very intense days.
The greatest masters of the genre are expected. How was this selection made?
It was made two years ago. First with one of the most beautiful shows I’ve seen in the last ten years, Lovetrain2020 with Franco-Israeli choreographer Emmanuel Gat. A magnificent tribute to the pop rock universe of the nineties with the background of the British group Tears for fears. It was offered at the Montpellier dance festival with an incredible troupe of about fifteen dancers. It’s alive, colorful. It gives incredible fishing. Then we had a “gift from heaven”.
That is to say?
When the Batsheva dance company canceled their European tour, we were a bit desperate. It was our big international line-up. And then it turns out that on the same date, like a perfect copy-paste, Mourad Merzouki’s show Folia was available. Created two years ago in the ancient theater of the Nuits de Fourvières, in Lyon, it mixes hip-hop, contemporary and classical dance, baroque music. Something multicultural and absolutely majestic was not only free on this date but, above all, technically it had been adapted for smaller stages. It is a unifying spectacle that echoes what is happening in the world today. Different cultures and nationalities come together on stage. It conveys a message of peace.
Two shows have been rescheduled…
They were planned for 2020 and 2021. Burning, by Julien Fournier, a mixture of circus and dance on the notion of burnout. A powerful, moving show with a performance that echoes what we are asked to do at work: always more, always more! The second is a real course built with Arthur Perole, associate artist. It presents Our living bodies, a little nugget on the question of identity and gender. Arthur Perole worked for two years on identity with students from Ferrié College, the results of which will be presented with a digital exhibition and the first episode of a documentary series. He also closes the festival with Boom boom bum where all the theater will be invested. The public will be invited to live various experiences.
What are your three favorites from this edition?
The double evening at the Auditorium on April 1st with both the tribute to Isadora Duncan by Jérôme Bel with Elisabeth Schwartz, a dancer over 70 years old. Because these are the beginnings of contemporary dance. The codes of classical dance are beginning to be broken to move towards the neoclassical. The second Wo-man and Point Zéro by Amala Dianor, a choreographer in the same vein as Mourad Merzouki. It gives meaning to hip-hop. It’s an amazing discovery evening. Finally, Lovetrain2020, a release of dance with magnificent costumes, colors, lights with lively music. When we get out of there, we want to go dancing! Which is perfect since Arthur Perole offers his Boom boom bum! (smiles) I also like the time when families are invited, like on March 26, with the costume contest and the animal boom…
Projects have been developed with the conservatory, dance schools and schools. Why is it important to mobilize the youth of Dracénoise?
Tomorrow, we will deal with her. The young spectator is a formidable mediator for the parents to come to the theatre. And then, it’s amazing to see so many dance schools in this area. Here, dance is part of a story. Moreover, we have benefited from a dance convention by the Ministry of Culture for twenty years. There is a strong act in the direction of the dance. It was unthinkable not to associate these amateur dancers with the festival. They can thus show their work outside of dance galas, in front of another audience. For college students, this is part of a fundamental artistic and cultural mission. It is essential to work towards young people because they are the spectators of tomorrow. The doors of the theater must be open to as many people as possible. Contemporary dance is not elitist. It is unifying. Requiring.
Two shows are free: the Boum boom bum and the Cannes Jeune Ballet Hightower. Is it a desire to make this festival accessible to everyone?
It’s giving the public the opportunity to come and see the “must of the must” with a national school 40 minutes from here, new choreographies, great repertoires and exceptional dance technique. The BBB is a festive moment to close.
With such a program what should we expect for the 7th edition?
La Batsheva, an Israeli company, is preparing a creation. In the spring of 2023, it will stop in four cities in France, none in the east and south-east, with the exception of Draguignan. I won’t reveal more…
How do you experience the total end of restrictions?
It was time ! The real inequity was these masses of 500 people without a vaccination pass. It was a total injustice. But we must remain vigilant. Wearing a mask is no longer mandatory, but it remains recommended in places where the public gathers. Everyone is free. I call for caution.
Know+
Prices: Festival pass 90 euros, reduced price: 60 euros.
Evening pass €36 (without card), €29, reduced rate €23 (without card) €19.
A show: 26€ (without card), 19€; reduced rate €16 (without card), €12.
Legend show: €10, and €7 (with the family card), reduced price €7;
Our living bodies €10 and €7.
Free entry by reservation for the Cannes Jeune Ballet Rosella Hightower (March 30) and the Boum Boom Bum.
Cl .: 04.94.50.59.59.
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