“My heart tightens, the air is unbreathable, and my mind is overwhelmed. The constant torment that takes hold of my being becomes unbearable; I need to get out, to free myself. I wander through the cold streets, trying to distract my mind. In the distance, I sense some commotion, songs call out to me, and I see a crowd gathered. I approach, and I feel the music flowing through me, invading me from head to toe. My heartbeat synchronizes with the hypnotic rhythms of the music, which unknowingly plunge me into a frenzy, an unleashed trance. My body, still for too long, is wracked with deep and nagging pain. Trapped in this infernal celebration, I have no way out but to dance.”
ARTISTIC STATEMENT
A choreographic fever spreads, immobility and isolation take hold of the bodies — how do we return to movement? Le Grand Bal embodies the singular artistic vision of choreographers Souhail Marchiche and Mehdi Meghari. This dance piece is once again the result of a close creative bond between the choreographers and nine intense, radiant performers. It is a reflection on the emancipation of the body, a physical response to the consequences of confinement and to the many crises of contemporary life. Dance and music merge, and the choreography calls for a rebellion of bodies that, in order to free themselves, have no other escape than to dance. It is a powerful artistic experience that pushes the boundaries of dance and celebrates the force of movement.
Souhail Marchiche & Mehdi Meghari, authors and choreographers
LE GRAND BAL / TOUR 2023-2024
15/09/2023 – La Comédie de Saint-Etienne (42)
20-21-22/09/2023 – Radiant-Bellevue – Biennale de la Danse (69)
30/09/2023 – Théâtre Jean Lurçat – Aubusson (23)
03/10/2023 – L’Esplanade du Lac – Divonne-les-Bains (01)
05/10/2023 – Théâtre d’Andrézieux-Bouthéon (42)
07/10/2023 – Théâtre de Cusset (03)
10/10/2023 – Théâtre de Villefranche (69)
13/10/2023 – Théâtre de Vénissieux (69)
17/10/2023 – Le Sémaphore – Cébazat (63)
19/10/2023 – Domaine de Bayssan – Béziers (34)
23/01/2024 – MC2 National Stage – Grenoble (38)
24/01/2024 – MC2 National Stage – Grenoble (38)
30/01/2024 – Théâtre de Sartrouville CDN (78)
01/02/2024 – L’Avant-Seine / Colombes Theatre – Colombes (92)
03/02/2024 – Théâtre des Bergeries – Noisy-le-Sec (93)
01/03/2024 – L’Azimut – Châtenay-Malabry (92)
02/03/2024 – L’Azimut – Châtenay-Malabry (92)
07/03/2024 – National Stage of Sète (34)
09/03/2024 – Théâtre des Salins – Martigues (13)
21-22-23-24/05/2024 – La Comédie CDN – Saint-Etienne (42)
PODCAST / TOUS DANSEURS
Souhail Marchiche & Mehdi Meghari on the French podcast Tous Danseurs, speaking about dance, inspiration, and Le Grand Bal.
CAST
Artistic Direction and ChoreographySouhail Marchiche and Mehdi Meghari
Performers
Mounir Amhiln, Charly Bouges, Yohann Daher, Nicolas Grosclaude, Hava Hudry, Beatrice Mognol, Carla Munier, Davide Salvadori, Alice Sundara
Original Music
Patrick De Oliveira
Lighting Design
Richard Gratas & François-Xavier Gallet-Lemaitre
Scenography
Hannah Daugreilh
Painting
Loïc Niwa
Costumes
Hannah Daugreilh & Sandra Bersot