The renowned French contemporary dance duo Joëlle Bouvier and Régis Obadia have been enchanting audiences ever since they founded their
now legendary company l’Esquisse in Angers back in 1980. For two
decades they’ve been a tight unit in life as on stage. Never would
there be a Bouvier without an Obadia no further than in the wings
ready to rush out and breathtakingly sweep her up in a risky series
of portées. Their instinctive complicity and harmonious physicality was so great on all levels, however, that you knew there was
no chance for an accident or mishap.
But the new century has inspired them to face a challenge. For
the first time in their lives, they’ve decided to go “solo” and will present their premiere joint program of two separately
created works conceived for l’Esquisse entitled “Fureurs” (choreographed
by Bouvier) and “Passion” (choreographed by Obadia) at Théâtre de la Ville March 28 to April 1.
The turning point was tough, but as the very emotional Bouvier
explained in a recent press conference, “Régis and I have always worked together without needing words, and I had to relearn how to communicate with our company’s dancers.
I have a very intimate relationship with them now and I feel like
I’ve finally grown up professionally.”
As for the Rudolf Valentino-like Obadia, he claimed it was “a major shock to be able to let go, and get deep into myself, without anyone trying to steer me in one direction or another.
It was a renaissance and I’m ready to tackle any encounter.”
Since 1993, Bouvier and Obadia have been co-directors of the National Center for Contemporary Dance in Angers, which was until recent years the place where experimental movement
was really happening, where all aspiring modern dancers used to
go to be able to work with imported guest teachers such as Alwin
Nikolais or Viola Farber. It was like a dash of New York rockin’
in the middle of a sleepy province with many talented dancers
emerging from the isolated Esquisse haven.
Bouvier and Obadia have always been the nucleus of their company’s
productions, like inseparable lovers who can never get enough
of one another. Their fluid, sensually romantic “Gone with the
Wind” style, exemplified in their masterworks “Welcome to Paradise” (1989) and “Indaten” (1998), has set them apart and has become their trademark distinguishing
them in the French contemporary dance scene.
“Fureurs” created for six dancers, and “Passion,” which features
seven performers, including Obadia and a child-singer, deal with
each choreographer’s personal interpretation of Antigone, the
ancient Greek superwoman heralded in Sophocles’s timeless tragedy
about fraternal rivalry, incest and revenge.
In spite of their need to work independently, it’s clear that
Bouvier and Obadia are forging a new way to be choreographically
connected. Their new production may just prove that two creative
heads are better than one...
“Fureurs” & “Passions” (chor. by Jöelle Bouvier and Régis Obadia/Centre
Nationale de Danse Contemporaine d’Angers - l’Esquisse), Mar 28
to Apr 1, 8:30pm, Théâtre de la Ville, 2, place du Châtelet, 4e,
Mº Châtelet or RER Châtelet-Les Halles, tel: 01.42.74.22.77.
