The air is electric as Montpellier Danse festival takes over the French city's stages, unleashing a whirlwind of creativity that's leaving audiences breathless. For 40 years, this pioneering event has been the benchmark for contemporary dance, shaping the very fabric of the art form both in France and globally. And now, a new era is dawning as Jean-Paul Montanari passes the baton to an innovative four-person directorship – Hofesh Shechter, Jann Gallois, Dominique Hervieu, and Pierre Martinez.
Don't worry, though - this seismic shift in leadership hasn't disrupted the festival's core mission. Making dance accessible to all corners of the city remains its guiding principle, blending blockbuster appeal with cutting-edge experimentation. Take Jann Gallois’s 'Imminentes', for instance – a high-octane, hour-long spectacle that draws you in with its tender beginnings and propels you forward on a tidal wave of sound and light. This six-woman powerhouse performance is an exercise in raw energy, where the dancers' collective force builds to a crescendo that's impossible to resist.
For those who crave something more cerebral, 'Le Pas du Monde' by Collectif XY is a game-changer. Imagine circus art pushed to new heights – literally! This boundary-pushing performance features gravity-defying human towers, death-defying dives, and aerial feats that'll leave you gasping in awe. But beneath the spectacle lies a rich tapestry of themes: collective aspiration, the fleeting nature of human endeavour, and the intricate web of societal dynamics.
The visual landscape of 'Le Pas du Monde' is nothing short of breathtaking – think surreal creatures and scenes evoking natural phenomena like whirling storms or turbulent seas. This performance transcends mere physicality to become a form of concrete poetry that speaks directly to both body and spirit. And if you're up for a challenge, the festival also offers more avant-garde works, such as 'Tempest' by Lisbeth Gruwez and Maarten Van Cauwenberghe – initially perplexing but ultimately yielding to a stunning set-piece of lights and shadows.
On the other end of the spectrum, Héla Fattoumi's poignant duet 'Twama Paradise' brings an intimate warmth. Featuring Tunisian actor-dancer Sondos Belhassen, this beautifully crafted work delves into the parallel lives of two ageing women, exploring themes of womanhood, ambition, and memory through a rich blend of Arabic chant and French chanson. It's a nuanced portrayal that avoids simplistic cultural references to paint a poignant picture of intertwined lives.
While streaming details for these performances in the UK are yet to be announced, international dance festivals like Montpellier Danse often set the tone for programming at UK venues and inform the work of British choreographers – so keep an ear out for when (and where) you can experience this cutting-edge dance for yourself!