This audacious quartet is thrust into a surreal, illogical reality across diverse disciplines. As they weave a fragmented dramaturgy of desire and dissonance, the question arises: how will they reunite?
Even in our radically modern and interconnected world, communication barriers can still confound our efforts to be heard, understood, and loved, often leaving us isolated and adrift. Yet, despite these challenges, we persist in our quest to transcend isolation and forge deeply intimate connections that bind us together. Through the mediums of dance, voice, tenderness, and even violence, In Mixed Company delves into the discordance that arises when social norms impede our search.
David + Emily on In Mixed Company:
Milan Kundera's literary works and the Theatre of the Absurd provided significant inspiration for In Mixed Company. Set against the tumultuous backdrop of post-war Europe, we find resonance in Kundera's works, which offer allegorical depth, critiquing the tension between individual autonomy and collective conformity. Kundera's exploration of human relationships, identity, and societal norms, offered us profound insights into the complexities of human existence. Similarly, the Absurdist playwrights, including Samuel Beckett and Eugene Ionesco, challenged conventional theatrical forms to highlight the absurdity of the human condition and the breakdown of communication in a fragmented world.
Drawing from these literary influences, we engaged in personal discussions fuelled by a shared curiosity about human interaction. Informed by insights from sociology, we examined how shared identities, beliefs, and experiences shape social dynamics, fostering deeper connections and understanding among like-minded individuals.
Through In Mixed Company, we aimed to translate these personal explorations into a visceral, physical experience for our audience. The performance became a canvas where themes inspired by Kundera's literary depth and the Absurdist tradition could unfold, inviting viewers to witness the complexities of human connection and the inherent tensions that arise when navigating social boundaries. By intertwining movement, emotion, and narrative, we sought to provoke introspection and dialogue about the nature of belonging, empathy, and the universal desire for meaningful connection in an increasingly diverse and interconnected world.
Press
Choreographers: David Albert-Toth, Emily Gualtieri
Dancers and Collaborators:
Jody Hegel, Milan Panet-Gigon, Caroline Gravel, Lael Stellick
With Artistic Contribution From:
Andrew Turner, Jessica Serli
Texts:
Caroline Gravel, Milan Kundera, Milan Panet-Gigon
Music: David Albert-Toth, David Drury
Lighting and Set Designer: Paul Chambers
Rehearsal Director: Ginelle Chagnon
Dramaturg: Hannah Dorozio
Artistic Advisor: Mélanie Demers
Project Made Possible Thanks to the Generous Support of:
Canada Council for the Arts
Residencies Offered Graciously by:
Circuit-est centre chorégraphique
Jose Navas (Studio Flak) in collaboration with Tangente Laboratoire Mouvements Contemporains
Distinctions:
Winner, Dance Prize, Festival Vue sur la relève, 2015
Premiered at Tangente Laboratoire Mouvements Contemporains, 2013
2013
60 minutes
4 performers
All photos Frédéric Chais