Tuesday evening was the premiere ofEnchanted by Brazilian choreographer Lia Rodrigues, as part of the Festival TransAmériques (FTA). A show of rhythms and flamboyant colors, this creation, which bets as much on bodies as on fabrics, plunges us into a carefree celebration, a celebration of being and a healing of souls.
It’s very gentlyEnchanted, which means “wonder”, “enchantment” in Brazil, welcomes us into her arms. Naked bodies slowly slip under a huge, brightly colored quilt. In a deaf silence, we then observe the bodies disappear, pieces of skin reappear and, little by little, creatures form. They temporarily come to life, pass each other and quietly begin to move, the drum ringing for now in the background.
The pace intensifies and does not stop. The 11 performers are gradually unleashed, playing in multiple textiles. Metamorphosed, they define themselves in space, in play, and alone develop landscapes, capsize our imagination and fascinate us from minute to minute. The colors and shapes of the fabrics intertwine, tangle, twist and dazzle with their elaborate construction.
The bodies, here all different, are no longer a stake or an aesthetic, they embody everything they want, free themselves from norms and fully assume themselves. Extravagance is in order. A beautiful ode to difference, to diversity and to self-love, to pride, in a way. Sometimes in seduction, in arrogance or even in mischief, what they embody, imaginary animals, deities, spirits or simple human beings, is built before our eyes and deconstructed, sometimes even without us thinking. notice it. As if by magic, the stage is filled with living, mysterious and ephemeral beings, who bring all their vitality and personality.
The rhythms of the Guaraní Mbyá people repeat themselves ad infinitum, like a trance. We feel the living energy, the authentic energy, the very origin of the Earth, but we also perceive it as healing music, of being together in peace. In addition to the carelessness of everyone, the immense joy that abounds in space, we also feel a certain universal balm, a great hand resting on hearts and souls.
Togetherness and aesthetics
In addition to being a hymn to pride, Enchanted also brings back to the simplicity of life. For an hour, we follow the performers in their exaltation, their madness, which makes us want to throw ourselves too into this sea of weavings. When was the last time you dressed up? Or did you throw yourself into a pile of fabrics? On top of that, the unity and solidarity of the group warms the heart. What more does it take than being together to be happy, after all? Both are in constant support in their surge of self, in their contagious fever.
The choreographer also exposes us to a simple, and above all very organic choreography. The performers dance with their hearts, natural movements that simply add tempo to the overall dynamism. Simple movements of hands, arms or tapping the rhythm with the feet, Enchanted does not shine with complex gestures, but with measured authenticity. In the simplicity, the personality of each shines through, as well as their need to move, to dance. In all this effervescence appear moments in unison, structures in duo, in trio. The solos are never really alone since the rest of the group is always united, always moving, together, without the choreographic architecture breaking their union.
Finally, Enchanted is above all a piece whose aesthetics and scenic construction are very interesting. Starting from simple pieces of fabric massaged together to build characters, spirit or even decorations is really original. We don’t really expect it at first and finally, we get caught up in the play of colors and shapes, trying to guess the next inventions that the artists are going to show us. It is also fascinating to see the number of possible combinations and creations.
intoxicating piece, Enchanted transports us by the multitude of its colors, its life force, its healthy madness and the union of the beings which carries it.