Dance Work for Young and Old

Dance Work for Young and Old

“It’s hard to conceive of anyone – of any age – not loving Echoa...” – Living Scotsman

French Company Arcosm makes their New Zealand debut as part of the New Zealand International Arts Festival in 2010 with their dance work Echoa.

The stage is set with multi-level scaffolding allowing two percussionists and two dancers to come together to create seven stories which explore the connection between movement and rhythm. To do this they are joined on stage by two large xylophones, two marimbas’ and several drum kit pieces. Latin music is also infused into the piece.

The line between percussion and dance begins to blur quickly as musicians dance, and dancers play percussion, all done with a firm grasp of humour. Moving in tight unison, they build up one wall of sound after another, using instruments, bars, and each others’ bodies.

Echoa engages a multi-generational audience and asks them to explore questions like how does a percussionist dance? And what is the sound of a dancer’s body? This enables the audience to see the dance with their ears.

Dancer and choreographer Thomas Guerry and percussionist, pianist and composer Camille Rocailleux who are the producers of Echoa are joined by Samuel Favre (percussionist) and Eleonore Guisnet (dancer) who all met while studying at the National Superior Conservatory of Music and Dance in Lyon. In 2001 they formed Arcosm. Echoa is their first creation. They have since created their second work, Lisa, the story of a young woman told in music and dance.

Echoa is sponsored by Accor Hospitality.

WHEN: 1 March
WHERE: Kuranui College, Greytown

WHEN: 2-7 March
WHERE: Soundings Theatre, Te Papa

ENDS

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