Fringe | Fléau

The Belgian première

Fléau is inspired by Geisslechlöpfe, a centuries-old Swiss tradition rooted in archaic, pagan rituals dating back to the 16th century. Geisslechlöpfer from the Canton of Schwyz and Chlauschlöpfer from the Lenzburg District would usually emerge in the middle of the night to drive out demons and the winter with the deafening blow of their whips. They also summoned friendly spirits with the rhythm of their cracking whips.

Alternating between the solitary individual and a choir, female and male performers, Fléau’s movements and sounds appeal to our collective imagination, accessing countless iconographic accounts.

At the crossroads of photography, installation art, and performance, Agnès Geoffray enquires into the evocative power of images in a universe of latent and occult tensions. Control, thraldom, domination and the resistance of bodies are the focal points of her research.

Concept and choreography Agnès Geoffray

Performers Compagnie Cirque à mille temps: Edward Aleman, Mordjane Mira, Sylvia Rosat, Bobby Scala

Co-producer Théâtre de Vanves

Sponsored by La Briqueterie CDCN, du Val-de-Marne, DRAC Ile-de-France, Le MAC VAL, Musée d’art contemporain du Val-de-Marne, FRAC Nouvelle-Aquitaine Méca, Galerie Maubert, Sabine Marais-Veyrat

This performance is part of Playground (STUK & M Leuven), an annual festival at the crossroads between stage and visual arts.