Why do old people, who have nothing to do, cross at a red light? currently on tour in France, and which was presented in Paris at the Lavoir Moderne from January 5 to 9, is not a show about or for “old people”, but about growing old.
We all age, whether we like it or not. What do we do in front of the first signs of the body saying that it is tired? What physical finding do we implement to continue dancing? What will make us laugh and hold on tomorrow?
Collective 2222 goes against the general tendency to hide death, to hide these very old people. Their show, thbetween burlesque and drama, questions taboos around aging, it was created in a retirement home / nursing home during workshops with residents.
The actors make a theater of movement, hence the use of the almost full mask which freezes the face of the elderly in certain expressions. Thanks to the mask, speech remains free as well as body language.
“Masks are a way of questioning our representations of aging. Women’s masks on men’s bodies and the opposite, lead to reflection on gender. The mask allows a great freedom of themes and treatments.”
The director, Thylda Barèsat franceinfo
The feedback taught the actors that the residents did not want to talk about old age. But when talking about their youth and those they knew, they talk about their daily life, their intimate life, and what they miss.
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The story :
One morning in a retirement home a little old man dies. Another arrives. Routine. Card games continue, sports exercises and memory workshops too. Today we celebrate the centenary anniversary. Everyone is decrepit, pretending to project themselves, waiting for us to bring them to life. But for a little old woman, that is no longer possible…
The Collective 2222
it’s about fifteen artists from all over the world. France, Norway, England, Sweden, Taiwan, Turkey, Colombia, Brazil, Scotland, Belgium, Germany, All from the Jacques Lecoq International Theater School.
The dates:
– January 20, 2022: Victor Hugo Theater – Bagneux – Haut de Seine (1 school and 1 general public)
– March 26, 2022: City of Thue and Mue – Calvados
– April 15, 2022: City of Duclair – Seine Maritime
– April 30, 2022: City of Montivilliers – Seine Maritime
– May 13, 2022: City Conches en Ouche – Eure