Lithuania dances in a hypnotic version

As part of the Lithuanian Season in France, the Théâtre de la ville is programming a dance focus with a solo by Rachid Ouramdane for Lora Juodkaite and the quartet version of Hairy de Dovydas Strimaitis.

Rachid Ouramdane, choreographer, director of Chaillot Théâtre national de la danse, has known Lora Juodkaite since 2005 when he discovered her in a dance workshop. Having already invited him to participate in several of his creations, such as Ordinary witnesses, Sfumato or Hold timehe signs today for her with Lora a sensitive solo, based on the dancer’s personal practice, which has revolved around itself since childhood. A form of therapy that allowed him to develop impressive virtuosity. Perched on demi-pointes, she whirls, wrapping herself in her limbs in infinite fluidity. As a dramaturgical counterpoint to this twist highlighted by Lora, recounting her intimate experience in voice-over, Rachid Ouramdane imagined a prelude and a more Hollywood exit.

Hairy by Dovydas Strimaitis is presented here in a quartet version, after a solo version, danced by the choreographer himself during the launch of the Lithuanian Season in France and the trio version which allowed him to participate in the Dance extended competition in 2022. This quartet version is a multiplication/duplication of the solo, with pauses and breaks in rhythm, the four dancers gradually shifting, generating a hypnotic effect reinforced by the electronic music of the show. Hair has often been used in dance, from Pina Bausch to Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker, but this is the first time it has been used as an intrinsic extension of movement, which the choreographer says interests him for the trace that they leave in the air. However, the piece, unnecessarily prolonged and extended, loses its initial conceptual and minimalist impact, compared to the shorter trio version, and fades into a less well-controlled, more contemplative ending.

Photographic credits: © Nora Houguenade; Alisauskas

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