GIVE contemporary dance a chance.
That’s the message from the artistic director and choreographer of a new work which will be performed in Barnard Castle later this month as part of a regional tour aimed at increasing the appeal of the genre.
Matthieu Geffre heads up the Rendez-Vous Dance company, which will take to the stage with The Monocle.
The dance show transports its audience to one of the most flamboyant cabaret clubs of 1930s Paris, where appearances aren’t always what they seem.
The Monocle features a cast of six dancers who spent a week rehearsing at The Witham.
The show is part of a three-year project called Made in the North East, which aims to take contemporary dance to areas where it would not normally be staged.
Mr Geffre successfully bid for the £25,000 commission from a consortium of nine North East venues, including The Witham, and led by Newcastle-based Dance City to develop The Monocle.
“The whole point was about making a piece of work to get audiences to engage with contemporary dance,” he said.
“It is thought to be a difficult art form to engage with, but I would say don’t be scared – contemporary dance is fun, engaging and physical.
“The first questions I always get is that people do not understand it – maybe that is not the point. Give it a go and allow yourself to be in a world of sensations.”
Mr Geffre said the dancers had enjoyed their week working at The Witham, during which they held an open rehearsal for centre staff and volunteers.
“We had a fantastic week here – the space is wonderful and we are looking forward to coming back to perform.
“In fact we have tailored the piece to this space. Now we just want to perform it,” he said.
The Monocle begins its tour on Saturday, February 5, at Gosforth Civic Centre and calls at The Witham on Thursday, February 24.
Tickets are available for £8 from The Witham box office on 01833 631107.
For more information and online booking, go to https:// thewitham.org.uk/event/the-monocle-14.
