BOLÉRO

Gilles Verièpe revisits and overturns Ravel’s powerful and hypnotic composition here, disrupting choreographic references to better convey the vitality and joy that the piece instantly triggers in him. In this playful duo, he, along with Yulia Zhabina, rediscovers the gestures of childhood, the ones of frivolous and essential play that allow one to sketch out their world, overcome fears, and infuse it with joy, lightness, and ease.

It all begins with a TikTok, followed by cheerful sequences, teasing and grumbling, sirtaki, waltz, jazz, and even the famous Hassidic dance from Rabbi Jacob. Recognizable and popular dances, ingrained in the collective unconscious, instinctively evoking the desire to participate. However, Gilles constructs his own narrative, unfolds his universe, sprinkles his choreography with playground movements, hopscotch, or bungee jumping, illuminating the play and setting the dynamics in motion. Surprisingly, a touch of nostalgia, some grotesque and grating figures appear, a nod to Butoh. Dance is above all a bodily palette of emotions to explore, a role-playing game where anything is possible. The music rewinds, an eternal refrain, and we return to the starting point. Dance tells the story of life, and it is exhilarating, opening minds; the audience participates as one body, entering into symbiosis with the dancers because all these expressions are ultimately about sharing and generosity.

CREDITS
Choreography: Gilles VERIÈPE
Assisted by: Valérie MASSET
Music: Boléro de Maurice RAVEL – Philharmonie de Berlin – Herbert Von Karajan – 1966
Musical creation and arrangement: Lucas VERIÈPE
Interpreted by: Yulia ZHABINA, Gilles VERIÈPE
Lighting: Paul ZANDBERT
Costumes: Arielle CHAMBON
Pictures: Jean-Claude CARBONNE