Amala Dianor Company - "Shells"

It is the story of a baby gorilla and a praying mantis. It is also the story of a meeting between the bodies of two artists as different as their movement languages: one a dancer trained in classical and contemporary dance, the other a breakdancer rooted in hip-hop culture. With just four umbrellas and lighting that bathes a confetti-strewn stage in shifting colors, they open the doors of imagination in a subtle and delicate duet. She, all finesse and elevation; he, grounded through the pelvis, with gestures at first clumsy, then increasingly fluid—the lightness of one balancing the power of the other. As their physicalities gradually become complementary, the voice of an African storyteller gives way to the song of a griot, then to a musical composition that shifts toward progressive rock. In this successful kaleidoscope of contrasting influences, one recognizes the signature of Amala Dianor, ever curious to blend styles and vocabularies. The choreographer created this first work for young audiences in 2024, commissioned by Le Gymnase CDCN and the LOOP network, with the aim of encouraging the creation of short, distinctive pieces for very young viewers. This unexpected duet captivates audiences aged six and up with its grace and poetry. Created in 2024 – Piece for 2 performers Choreography: Amala Dianor Performers: Lucie Benhalima Dubois, Brian Kpabja, Milane Cathala-Di Fabrizio, Estanis Radureau, Chloé Wanner (duet in alternation) Artistic Assistant: Alexandre Galopin Costumes: Camille Pénager Lighting: Nicolas Tallec With the voice of: Michael Nana Book signing Illustrated children’s book “I Dance Hip-Hop Too” by dance journalist Isabelle Calabre Saturday, November 28 after the performance