I first became aware of Les 7 Doigts de la Main when one of the Founders, Gypsy Snider partnered with Diane Paulus to create the circus elements that are now an integral part of "Pippin," the Tony Award winning Broadway musical. Part of the vision of Gypsy and her six co-founders of Les 7 Doigts de la Main was to present urban circus on a human scale. The show currently being presented by ArtsEmerson at the Cutler Majestic Theater is "Reversible," conceived and directed by Ms. Snider, with considerable input from the eight cast members. This opening production of the ArtsEmerson 2017-2018 season is an American Premiere.
In conceiving this show, Gypsy Snider gave each of the prospective cast members the assignment of going back home to their families of origin to learn stories about how their grandparents and great-grandparents lived. Many of those stories, often involving struggle and immigration, have been woven into the fabric of each of the acts in "Reversible." The set by Ana Cappelluto consists of several moveable and reversible walls with doors and windows. Initially, the presentation is of exterior walls, but they are often reversed to show interior spaces. The stories that the artists tell through their circus arts relate to who they are - and who we are - as human beings - on the outside and on the inside. The result of these creative and athletic efforts is a realization of Gypsy's original dream: theater on a human scale.
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| Cast "Reversible" 7 Fingers of the Hand ArtsEmerson Cutler Majestic Theatre Through September 24th |
One of the stories that resonated with me was that of Emi Vauthey's grandmother. Emi learned that her grandmother had fled Japan and an impending arranged marriage to elope with a Swiss man. She was the first person from outside of Switzerland to settle in their small village. Emi presents an act, using her skills as a contortionist, in which a bride struggles mightily in an oversized bridal gown to get her bearings and get her feet on the ground. I saw the piece as a very moving metaphor to suggest the kinds of struggles her Japanese grandmother must have faced in trying to fit into a culture of a very different size and fabric.
The eight artists come from five different countries and speak different languages. The fact that they are able to overcome obstacles of language and culture to form a seamless team that rely on one another in performing death-defying acts offers hope in this season of political and social upheaval that our differences can be healed and our chasms can be bridged.
The eight performers are:
- Maria Del Mar Reyes (Spain) Disciplines - Hand balancing, Chinese pole, Dance.
- Vincent Jutras (Canada) Disciplines - HoopSkate, Korean plank, Dance.
- Jeremi Levesque (Canada) Disciplines -Korean plank, Hoopdiving.
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"Reversible"
7 Fingers of the Hand
ArtsEmerson
Cutler Majestic Theatre
Through September 24th
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- Natasha Patterson (USA) Disciplines - Juggling, Contortion, Dance.
- Hugo Ragetly (France) Disciplines - Juggling, Chinese pole.
- Emilie Silliau (France) Disciplines - Aerial rope, Trapeze, Aerial silk, Chinese pole
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"Reversible"
7 Fingers of the Hand
ArtsEmerson
Cutler Majestic Theatre
Through September 24th
|
- Julien Silliau (France) Disciplines - German wheel, Juggling, Chinese pole, Whip
- Emi Vauthey (Switzerland) Disciplines - Contortion, Aerial silk, Hula hoop, Dance.
The overall effect of this show is to inspire awe, wonder, and hope. The acts are visually stunning as well as thought-provoking. The final act, shown above, is gorgeous and enigmatic. Are the performers surfing in water, floating on clouds? Most of the audience left the Cutler Majestic Theatre floating - musing on what we had just seen and heard and experienced together as an instant community.
The show runs through September 24th. Get your tickets now. Any delay on your part will not be reversible!
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