Award-winning dancer and company director Maguy Marin is one of the most significant figures in French modern dance. The New York Times has called her, “one of the most important choreographers in France.”
Having created some 40 dance works, which have been influenced by theatre and choreographed movement, the Toulouse-born artist has a long history of presenting bold performances that push artistic boundaries.
Residents of the National Capital Region have a chance to see her innovative work first hand, as the Compagnie Maguy Marin performs Salves at the National Arts Centre on October 3 and 4. The show will kick off the NAC’s 2013-14 dance season.
Debuting in 2010, Salves is a furious spectacle of chaotic movements. The performance challenges audiences with cutting-edge routines that are comprised of spellbinding movements that have been compared to a hail of gunfire.
Numerous symbolic images appear in the show, including a helicopter-borne figure of Christ, a shattered Statute of Liberty, a slapstick fight with buckets of paint, and Marianne guiding the French Revolution. With a piercing rhythmic score, the spectacle is performed with seven dancers and four vintage reel-to-reel tape recorders.
Compagnie Maguy Marin was founded in Paris in 1980. The group’s forceful work breaks with established dance norms, while also providing strong social commentary. Their show will be the first time the group has been at the NAC in more than 25 years.
In anticipation of this performance, Apartment613 is giving away two pairs of tickets to the October 3 performance of Salves, which have been kindly donated by the NAC. To enter the draw, email apartment613@gmail.com with the subject line, “Maguy Marin ticket giveaway”, and write in the body of the email the name of one other show by Compagnie Maguy Marin. Entries will be accepted until 5 p.m. Friday, September 27, with the winners announced on Friday evening.
In addition to the dance performance, Ennio Sammarco and Laura Frigato, two members of the Compagnie Maguy Marin, will be teaching a three-hour workshop for professional and advanced dancers. The workshop is scheduled to take place on October 4, 2013, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at Rehearsal Hall B, National Arts Centre, at 53 Elgin Street (enter by stage door.) Cost is $25 and is payable in cash on site.
This workshop is for advanced level dancers and students, aged 14 and up. As space is limited, interested participants must register in advance with Kirsten Andersen, Dance Outreach Coordinator, at kirsten.andersen@nac-cna.ca.
Compagnie Maguy Marin performs Salves in the Theatre of the National Arts Centre on Thursday October 3 and Friday October 4 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $39, $48, and $52 for adults and $21, $25.50, and $27.50 for students (upon presentation of a valid student ID card). Groups of 10 or more save 15% to 20% off regular ticket prices. To reserve your seats, call 613-947-7000, ext. 634 or e-mail grp@nac-cna.ca. The show lasts 70 minutes with no intermission. Note: Partial nudity.
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