THE MANNHEIM PIECES Cre ation 2021/2022

DIDIER THERON COMPANY THE MANNHEIM PIECES

August Sander – Menschen des 20.Jahrhunderts

This choreographic piece for four performers will undergo several steps of creation from 2020 to 2021 between Montpellier, Mannheim and Warsaw.

Artistic direction : Didier THERON Artistic council : Michèle MURRAY Music : Joël ALLOUCHE Performance : French, German and Polish interpreters to be auditioned - ongoing Light design : Luc SOUCHE & Didier THERON Costumes : Laurence ALQUIER

Supports : Ein Tanz Haus MANNHEIM Institut Français Deutschland / Bureau du Théâtre et de la Danse BERLIN Mouvements Sur La Ville #13 MONTPELLIER

Residences of création : Ein Tanz Haus - MANNHEIM Pôle de Développement Chorégraphique Mosson / Montpellier - MONTPELLIER

Creation schedule 2021: - 22 to 26 February : First "stage to stage" residency at EinTanzHaus in MANNHEIM / Pôle de Développement Chorégraphique MONTPELLIER - production of the video film by Julia Schleisiek - videographer - on this experience of remote creation - 6 to 19 September - Residency at the Pôle de développement Chorégraphique MONTPELLIER - 8 to 21 October - Residency at EinTanzHaus in MANNHEIM - November : One week of performances at the Pôle de Développement Chorégraphique / Espace Bernard Glandier in MONTPELLIER, - 1 to 8 December : Creation EinTanzHaus in MANNHEIM

DIDIER THERON COMPANY THE MANNHEIM PIECES

The project :

The desire that drives me for this upcoming creation is the association of three artistic "sources": the work of German photographer August Sander (1876 -1964), whose photo series "Faces of an era" transcribed the image of early 20th century Germany, the rhythmic compositions of the percussionist Joel Allouche, and the Ode to Joy - fourth movement of the Symphony No. 9 by Beethoven.

The interest shown by Daria Holme, director of the EINTANZHAUS in Mannheim since December 2020 - following the cancellations of the November performances – in continuing our collaboration enabled finding a way to work together on the concrete project. The international workshop from February 22 to 27,

2021 which took place in the form of a video- conference between the stage of the Eintanzhaus and that of the Pôle de Développement Chorégraphique was a concrete step in beginning this creation, bringing together online the live forces of the company dancers in Montpellier, as well as the Mannheim and Warsaw dancers, whom we had become acquainted with during our former projects. August Sander – Menschen des 20.Jahrhunderts

The choreographic research will deal with dances strongly linked to rhythm, and detached from any aestheticism but with the aim of developing energy. This will be done together, beginning with the performers’ individual explorations. I also wish to share the work of August Sander with the dancers and with Laurence Alquier, costume designer, in particular on Sander’s way of seizing the uniqueness of each person in these portraits through pose and clothing.

By choosing to tackle the scores by Joel Allouche as well as Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy”, after having choreographed Ravel’s or AC/DC's music for EARTH, I wish once again to approach dynamics and choreographic choices, which were already present in important pieces of our repertoire, such as "Les Locataires" or "Harakiri" for example, but this time in a different relationship to the music.

Montpellier the 16 th February 2021 Didier THERON

DIDIER THERON COMPANY THE MANNHEIM PIECES

MICHELE MURRAY is choreographer and artistic director of the structure PLAY / Michèle Murray. Of French-American nationality, she at first trained in Düsseldorf in classical dance, then in New York with Merce Cunningham and Movement Research, then as an autodidact with many choreographers and teachers in Paris. She then took part in various choreographic projects as a performer, notably with "l'art not least" in Berlin, Didier Théron in Montpellier and Bernardo Montet at the Centre Chorégraphique National de Tours. Since 2008, she has been collaborating as an artistic advisor with Didier Théron. From 2000, she develops a personal work within the Cie Michèle Murray, which will become Murray / Brosch Productions in 2008, in artistic ©JULIEN REYES ©© collaboration with Maya Brosch. She presents many pieces in , notably in the context of: Festival Montpellier Danse, Le Vivat d'Armentières, Live Art Festival Glasgow, Festival Automne en Normandie, ImPuls Tanz Vienna, Zagreb Dance Festival, Dock 11 Berlin, Schrittmacher Festival Aachen, CND Paris, Festival Faits d'Hiver Paris, CCN Tours. In 2012, she creates the choreographic structure PLAY / Michèle Murray, of which she is artistic director and choreographer, while working in close collaboration with the artists she surrounds herself with. Her latest project ATLAS / ÉTUDES, a "choreographic atlas" of ten short pieces, was presented for the first time in its entirety as part of the Festival Montpellier Danse 2018. In 2019, she begins the new project WILDER SHORES. In parallel to her activity as a choreographer, she teaches in Europe, mainly in France and Germany. Her teaching is closely related to her choreographic practice.

Joël ALLOUCHE is musician, jazz drummer and composer, born in Kabylia, his drumming is always open to the influence of world percussion. Musician since his teenage years (70s), he practices musical companionship by working with leading artists and very diverse styles. Many beautiful years of sharing and musical connivance with : Marc Ducret, Paolo Fresu, François Jeanneau, Nguyên Lê, Michel Portal, Ricardo Del Fra, Pierre Favre, Kenny Wheeler, Henri Texier, Louis Winsberg. In full possession of his talent, he decided in the 2000s to

©S UNCE DACHA pass on what he had received and matured from his art. In 2013, he pays homage to Tony Williams who gave him the trigger and then nourished him musically throughout these years. He does this in particular by creating his own quintet presented in many places: Jazz à Junas, Jazz à Sète, Radio France, Jazz sur son 31. Many concerts and festivals in Italy, Sardinia, Sicily with : Trumpet - Enrico Rava, Paolo Fresu, Marco Tamburini Double Bass - Furio Di Castri, Paolo Damiani, Paollino Della Porta - Franco D'Andrea, Rita Marcotulli, Antonello Salis, Danilo Rea Voice - Cinzia Spata, Maria Pia di Vito, Elena Ledda Sax - Maurizio Gianmarco, Gianluigi Trovesi Trombone - Gianluca Petrela. Concerts in New York and Canada with the pianist Don Friedman. Current formations: Joël Allouche Quintet TRIBUTE to Tony Williams: Airelle Besson (trumpet,) Pierre-Olivier Govin (sax), Rémi Ploton (piano) and Gabrielle Koelhoeffer (double bass) / Trio UNITY : Jorge Rossy (piano, vibraphone), Furio Di Castri (double bass) / Trio CLOSE MEETING : Eric Barret (sax), Serge Lazarévitch (guitar) / Duo and trio with Nuen Lê (guitar) and Jean-Luc Lehr (bass) / Trio EXCHANGING : Doudou Gouirand (sax), Rémi Ploton (piano) / Trio DREAM : Louis Winsberg (guitar) and Jean-luc Lehr (bass) / Trio ASK : Vitorio Silvestri (guitar) and Gabrielle Koelhoeffer / Trio TIMELESS : Gérard Pansanel (guitar) and Rémi Ploton / Trio JAK : François Jeanneau (sax) and Gabrielle Koelhoeffer or Jean-Luc Lehr / Trio or quartet of Jean-Pierre Mas (piano).

DIDIER THERON COMPANY THE MANNHEIM PIECES

DIDIER THERON Born in Beziers, studied dance in France with Myriam Berns, Dominique Bagouet, Solange Golovine, Morton Potash. Scholarship from the Ministry of Culture after a first award-winning work - 1st prize Hivernales d'Avignon 1988, he trained at the Cunningham Studio in New York - Merce Cunningham - He completed this approach to dance and choreography with the meeting of Trisha Brown. In Japan, he receives the teaching of Zen master Harada Tangen at the Bukkokuji Temple in Obama Shi. Meetings 1991/ meets Tadashi Suzuki artistic director, Tokyo 1992 / meets Thomas Guggi artist and Berlin producer 1995-96 / Laureate Villa Kujoyama, Kyoto - meets and collaborates with Daniel Buren 2013 / meets Fram Kitagawa directeur of Art Front, Tokyo

Didier Théron anchors his project in Montpellier. Under the benevolence of Dominique Bagouet - and on the offer of the municipality and its mayor Georges Frêche, he is invited to occupy with his team municipal premises in the popular district of Mosson. "Dance, art of the link" will be at the center of the thought of an action of territory developed in the project "ALLONS 'Z ENFANTS Projet Pour La Danse et l'Art - en direction de la jeunesse et pour la mixité sociale" (ALLONS'Z ENFANTS Project for Dance and Art - in the direction of youth and for social mixing). This dimension will lead the company to equip itself with a working tool for dance and art: L'ESPACE BERNARD GLANDIER - 2004 official inauguration of a new dance venue in Montpellier with the support of all the local authorities and the Ministry of Culture. It is a new place for experimentation and research, located in the center of the popular district of La Paillade - 25000 inhabitants. This space for dance and art allows the reception of artists at work, presentations of works, conferences, screenings, courses and workshops, thus constituting a place for exchange and sharing of multiple experiences. This project is supported by the DRAC OCCITANIE - The City of Montpellier.

Since its creation, the company presents its creations in France and abroad with a recognition of international press articles. The Times (England) - The Frankfurter Allgemeine (Germany) - Asahi Shinbun (Japan) - Le Monde (France) - Libération (France) - Le Soir (Belgium) - Diario de Noticias (Portugal) - Mouvement (France) -Télérama (France) - The Herald (England) - The Herald Scotland (Scotland) - TANZ Actuel (Germany) - The Village Voice (New York), USA) - The Australian - (Australia) - The West Australian ( West Austalie ) - The Scotman ( Scotland )- Télérama (France ) - Mouvement (France) . Didier Théron and the Company were invited to Japan by Tadashi Suzuki from 2001 to 2005 for the whole of his repertoire. Didier Théron is regularly invited to Australia by the STRUT Group and the University of WAPAA - Perth from 2007 to 2012.

In thirty years of existence, production and distribution, both national and international, has not dried up, with an average of 40 contracts per year. On the contrary, they are accompanied by international choreographic prizes and important moments of recognition: - Australia / 2010 Robert Helpmann Awards / nomination for the Oscars of Dance Sydney Opera House 2010 - Japan / 2013 Grand Prize - International Triennial Setouchi of Contemporary Art 2013 -Poland / 2016 Choreography Prize for the International Choreographic Competition Zawirowania in Warsaw - France / April 26, 2016 - INVITATION TO THE ELYSEE: For his action and involvement in Australia since 2007, Didier Théron is invited to the Élysée Palace for the State Dinner given in honor of the visit of the Governor of Australia, Sir Peter Cosgrove. - Jerusalem / December 2, 2017 - 1st Prize with SHANGHAI BOLERO / Les hommes - International Choreography Competition Machol Salem Dance House – MASH.

DIDIER THERON COMPANY THE MANNHEIM PIECES

THE COMPANY – ROUTES

Nourished by different approaches to choreography and art, Didier Theron will draw a singular path in the choreographic world: It is the construction of a choreographic project at the same time sensitive, political and poetic.

The bias - the "worker" movement The first pieces - LES PARTISANS, IRONWORKS and LES LOCATAIRES - open up universes close to the choreographer, that of the working world with singular body materials and movements taken from this universe, devices or situations from daily life revisited and inspiration drawn from the heart of his life. Literature and the writing process At the same time, Théron pursues a personal involvement in experimentation and creation and composes two founding solos - ten years apart: 1996 RASKOLNIKOV freely inspired by F. Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment - after a stay in Japan and in 2006 BARTLEBY freely inspired by Herman Melville's Bartleby for the 2006 Montpellier-Danse Festival - collaboration with the visual artist Donald Becker. This rapprochement with literature confers a new dimension to the developed remarks, an opening on the writing processes of literature in relation to choreographic writing. Musical collaborations with Daniel Menche American composer - met in Japan/Stay Villa Kujoyama and Gérôme Nox French composer. This link with literature is also marked by the 2003 creation of " ASSIS DEBUT EN MARCHE ", a sextet in reference to the writing process of " Mercier et Camier " by Samuel Beckett. The "Pieces of War" - Memory and Resilience - 2014 / 2018 - HARAKIRI - creation 2008. Under this title which covers both the universal and Japan, Didier Theron develops a radical and extremely emotional piece with no direct relation to the Japanese ritual of the real name Sepuku, except for the sacrificial dimension. - 14 & MES FANTOMES - creation 2014 reveals the true dimension of HARAKIRI, the sacrifice that was 14/18 and its impact in the private life of the choreographer, with the secret that surrounded the lives of his ancestors. Its resumption as obligatory makes it possible to give all its meaning to this dance of the "ghosts" which will be framed by a solo course "the soldier" of Didier Theron and a duet "the generals" with Thomas Guggi, in the continuation of this friendship with a 2nd artistic collaboration. - LHELM - acronym of the young man and death - creation 2017 - evokes the war in parallel with our war news and the "events of 2015" - Charlie and Bataclan with the choice of a parallel: 1914, 2014, transposed in the juxtaposition of the choreographic symphony of Maurice Ravel - Daphnis and Chloé - 1912 as musical structure and the dance of LJHELM as choreographic structure. - RESURRECTION creation 2019 - in continuity and break with "this convocation of the saving death", Théron creates on November 29th and 30th 2019 a piece for 5 dancers at the Ein Tanz Haus in Mannheim. Ravel - One musician - one work - one era - dance and music MAURICE RAVEL, the musician of 14 /18 - a challenge for Didier Théron to confront the repertoire and reinvent it - RAVEL/MUSIC TO SEE/with SHANGHAI BOLERO triptych - LJHELM - creation 2017 - THE CHILD AND OUTINGS in progress - creation 2021. GONFLES/Vehicles - COLORS - MOVEMENTS - FORMS Deformation as an act of invention An atypical and unique project, born on the bangs of creations for the stage, thought for other spaces, is the fruit of a 2nd collaboration with the German visual artist Donald Becker, Berlin: a reflection on the play of the deformation of bodies, a contemporary response to the Paleolithic Venus, to Oscar Schlemmer, or danced to Nikki de Saint Phalle, Jean Dubuffet or Erwin Würm. DEMOCRATIC COMBINE creation 2007 Montpellier danse 2007: a duet in collaboration with Keith Thompson member of the Trisha Brown Company who joins Didier Theron after a meeting in Kyoto. Music Gérôme Nox - 2nd collaboration. This project is then carried by teams of 4 dancers, for choreographies dedicated to specific spaces : LE SACRE - 30 minutes - Music Igor Stravinski - 2012 THE BIG PHASE - 45 minutes - Music Eric Satie - 2013 AIR - 23 minutes Music John Adams -2016 EARTH - 18 minutes - Clokenflap Festival Hong Kong - Music AC/DC - 2019/2020/2021

DIDIER THERON COMPANY THE MANNHEIM PIECES

CONTACT: +33 (0)4 67 03 36 16

Thomas Guggi (international tour manager) /[email protected] Elena Masson (tour manager) /[email protected]