BACK TO THE TABLE OF CONTENTS Press kit laotraorilla.net 1
Photo Lydia Pawelak PRESS KIT THE company 4 THE ARTISTIC DIRECTION 5 2
BACK TO THE TABLE OF CONTENTS PRODUCTIONS Moi&lesAutres 6 Unplugged 8 HomoBLABLAtus 10 El12 12 Cercania 1 14 press 15 3
press kit THE COMPANY Works by acclaimed La Otra Orilla ( the other shore ) are recognizable for their unique and radical approach to flamenco, reflecting an absolutely transdisciplinary vision. The company was founded in Montreal in 2006, born of the artistic complicity of its directors, Myriam Allard and Hedi Graja. Although the artists share a profound knowledge of both the technique and spirit of flamenco acquired during their many years in Andalusia, their signature style is resolutely contemporary, actively incorporating elements from other disciplines. Poetic and often tinged with a wry humour, their works are a surprising combination of dance, vocal and instrumental music, and theatre. La Otra Orilla is a unique, bold voice rooted in the ancient art of flamenco yet projecting it with a current and audacious approach. Photo Thomas Godreau 4
back to the table of contents Photo Sarah Scott THE ARTISTIC DIRECTION MYRIAM ALLARD coartistic director, choreography and dance «Myriam Allard is a true agent provocateur, pushing flamenco forward to achieve creative goals an independent thinker thrillingly engaged with the music and the movement, creating her own unique expression.» The Dance Current Sensitive to the world of music and dance from early childhood, Myriam Allard s life changed forever when she discovered flamenco, leaving Quebec to live in Spain for six years. She began dancing professionally at the traditional tablaos flamencos in Spain, then in various theatres and companies in Japan, France and Germany. Her overseas experience culminated in her work with Israel Galvan s company in Galvanicas in 2002. Armed with her European training and extensive professional experience, Myriam returned to Quebec to found La Otra Orilla with Hedi Graja. The company is the artistic vehicle that gives her the independence she needs to develop her unique choreographic language. Founded on a solid mastery of the codes of flamenco, Myriam Allard s choreography breaks free of the traditional esthetic framework. Her idiom expresses the instinctive and the impulsive with great sensitivity and refinement, marked by a profound latent power and underlying tension. HEDI GRAJA coartistic director, singer and director «Graja s singing is bewitching and magnificent.» The Indyish.com Multidisciplinary artist Hedi Graja was born with one foot on each shore of the Mediterranean, which crucially influenced his artistic identity. Initiated into theatre in Paris, then classical singing in Toulouse, he was eventually introduced to flamenco, which would have a pivotal effect. He left for Seville to learn more and flamenco singing became his preferred expressive medium. After spending four years in Andalusia, he completed his studies in art and literature in Paris, where he also continued studying flamenco singing and collaborated as an actor with the theatre company, Le Théâtre du Voyageur. In 2005, he moved to Montréal where he founded company La Otra Orilla with dancer Myriam Allard. Since then, he has developed the company s visual signature, taking charge of stage direction and design for all their productions. With a strong, fiery bassbaritone voice, rare in flamenco, Hedi Graja s singing displays the elements of a deep flamenco, anchored and timeless. 5
press kit YEAR OF CREATION 2015 DURATION 70 minutes Conception, direction and choreography Hedi Graja and Myriam Allard On stage Myriam Allard, Caroline Planté, Miguel Medina and Hedi Graja Moi&lesAutres Music Caroline Planté Set Hedi Graja Lights Étienne Boucher Costumes Marianne Thériault Rehearsal direction Hélène Messier Photo Levent Erutku Dancer and choreographer Myriam Allard and singerdirector Hedi Graja reaffirm their highly personal version of reimagined flamenco in an all-new creation Moi&lesAutres ( me and the others ). With their familiar freedom of expression and form, the latest creation of company La Otra Orilla explores themes related to the concept of the other, exploring ways in which the other reveals our own uniqueness. Are we less alone in the presence of others? Do we dissolve into the group? This hybrid, iconoclastic production proves once again that La Otra Orilla s vision of flamenco is firmly rooted in the present tense! Moi&lesAutres is coproduced by the Centennial Theatre and Danse Danse. La Otra Orilla receives the support of Canada Council for the Arts, Conseil des Arts et des Lettres du Québec, and Conseil des Arts de Montréal. The world premiere of this production took place at the Jacobs Pillow Festival in August 2015. 6
BACK TO THE TABLE OF CONTENTS video excerpt «An incredible show in which the rhythms of a hybrid, uninhibited flamenco dazzle through the steps of exceptional dancers and musicians. It s an audacious, poetic and sublime piece.» Huffington Post Photos Levent Erutku 7
press kit YEAR OF CREATION 2014 DURATION 75 minutes Unplugged Dance Myriam Allard and Aurélie Brunelle Guitar Caroline Planté Vocals Hedi Graja Percussion Miguel Medina Photo Sarah Scott With this cabaret-style show, La Otra Orilla returns to the traditional, more spontaneous, style of flamenco presentation : the tablao. At the heart of this artistic proposition lies an intimate conversation between song, dance and guitar where each element reveals itself while defining the other. A powerful, dynamic show that appeals both to the purist aficionado and the newcomers to the art of flamenco. 8
BACK TO THE TABLE OF CONTENTS «We are left stunned, seized by the magnetic energy that seems to burn up the stage and the audience.» Photos Levent Erutku La Presse video excerpt 9
press kit YEAR OF CREATION 2013 DURATION 70 minutes Conception, direction and choreography Hedi Graja and Myriam Allard On stage Myriam Allard, Aurélie Brunelle, Miguel Medina and Hedi Graja HomoBLABLAtus Music Caroline Planté, José Sanchez Set Hedi Graja Vidéo Geneviève Allard Lights Laurent Routhier/Projet Blanc Text Frédéric Blanchette Costumes Susana Vera Danser on vidéo Antonio Arrebola Photo Lumanessence HomoBLABLAtus : n. singular - Sub-species of Homo Sapiens ( also called homoblablator ) manifesting hyperactivity of the buccolabial organ and presenting symptoms of addiction to all forms of verbal expression, alongside an extreme fear of silence. His approach to the world is volontarily childlike and playfull ; he leads a temperate and interconnected existence and has developped an advanced model for survival based on an invented language called blablaterie. The discovery of Homoblablatus, ultimate incarnation of the human race, has forced us to question the weight of our words and our behaviour. It also invites us to seek out pristine spaces or white pages where the spoken word can resonate and the written word can permeate. HomoBLABLAtus was created in coproduction with Danse Danse and La Place des Arts ( Montréal, Québec, Canada ). La Otra Orilla has received the support of Conseil des Arts et des Lettres du Québec, Canada Council for the Arts, Conseil des Arts de Montréal and Segal Centre for the Arts. 10
BACK TO THE TABLE OF CONTENTS «La Otra Orilla s mastery is enhanced with sheer audacity This is a complex production, in which voice, soundscape, live music, dance and video are even more effectively integrated, creating real dramatic meaning. Allard and Graja s ability to deconstruct, sample and remix their flamenco is ever more surprising.» La Presse Photos Lydia Pawelak video excerpt 11
press kit YEAR OF CREATION 2010 DURATION 70 minutes El12 Conception, direction and choreography Hedi Graja and Myriam Allard Music Caroline Planté Set Hedi Graja Vidéo Geneviève Allard Lights Laurent Routhier / Projet Blanc Costumes Susana Vera Photo Thomas Godreau Suspended on our walls, adorning our wrists, its incessant wheel triumphs over us. It simultaneously breaches and sets the rhythm in motion, hinders it and allows it to flow. Reconciling the end and the starting point, 12 is flawless and finite, and yet it marks time with no mercy. This ruler to whom we yield is, in turn, kind and monstrous, beloved and despised, generous and tyrannical : 12 rules our art form, Flamenco, just as it rules our troubled relationship with the passage of time. El12 was created in coproduction with Danse Danse and La Place des Arts ( Montréal, Québec, Canada ). La Otra Orilla has received the support of Conseil des Arts et des Lettres du Québec, Canada Council for the Arts, Conseil des Arts de Montréal and Spirafilm for this production. 12
BACK TO THE TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 2 3 «By the end, the company had come and conquered» The Globe and Mail Photos 1 - Christopher Duggan 2 et 3 - Sarah Scott «Superb fresco» La Presse 4 video excerpt 13
press kit Superb fresco 2009 DURATION 10 min / 25 min * CERCANIA 1 Dance Myriam Allard Vocals Hedi Graja Percussion Miguel Medina *longer version with guitar Photo Levent Erutku Revealing the urgency of expression, that of the here and now, Cercania 1 steps out of the theatre and brings flamenco to the public sphere. With strength yet with simplicity, Cercania 1 evolves a long crescendo, flowing between the subtlety of breath and a rythmic transe. An intense interaction between dance, singing and percussion and an eloquent flamenco performance that will reach audiences of all ages and backgrounds. «The primal intensity of Allard and Graja s Flamenco is mesmerizing. Audiences remain rapt and silent until the explosion of applause.» Public Energy CERCANIA 1 is a live performance presented outdoors. video excerpt 14
BACK TO THE TABLE OF CONTENTS EXTRAITS DE PRESSE Moi&lesAutres ( 2015 ) «All grace, fire and beguiling quirkiness.» The Scotsman «Moi&lesAutres seduces and conquers. Beautifully iconoclastic and charismatic We are moved by the energy of this unique reinvention of flamenco.» Huffington Post «Moi&lesAutres, a questioning of uncommon intellectual and moral rigour... Above all, this is a show that offers a rich feast for the eyes and ears.» Revue Séquences HomoBLABLAtus ( 2013 ) «With its show HomoBLABLAtus La Otra Orilla has surpassed itself. We already loved its vitality and the way its founders, Myriam Allard and Hedi Graja, and their collaborators extrapolated so freely on the theme of flamenco. In their latest creation, however, their mastery is enhanced with sheer audacity.» La Presse «Hats off to La Otra Orilla : HomoBLABLAtus is a great flamenco show nouveau genre, with many interesting theatre aspects.» CBC El12 ( 2010 ) «The relentless and sublime passage of time.» Le Devoir «With this magical, intelligent and radical show, La Otra Orilla takes its place alongside other artists who are part of a growing movement championing contemporary reinterpretations of Flamenco.» La Presse «Sitting in the audience, you feel you could almost touch the stage ; the presence of the performers is so intense. Everyone present was instantly caught up in the unique concept devised by dancer Myriam Allard and singer Hedi Graja. Seventy minutes later, we came back down to earth, transported and transformed.» Le Soleil Spectacles de type cabaret ( 2009-2015 ) «We are left stunned, seized by the magnetic energy that seems to burn up the stage and the audience.» La Presse «Allard s onstage presence is that of an independent thinker thrillingly engaged with the music and the movement, creating her own unique expression. Allard seems to push herself to the limit, genuinely engaging with the moment, as if this performance, now, might take her over the edge and if she had jumped, we d have followed, judging from the explosion from the audience when it was over.» The Dance Current «Flamenco stripped down to its essentials as Allard pounded out the rhythms, pouring out her heart, becoming the dance.» The Star COMPAGNIE La Otra Orilla 137, SAINT-FERDINAND # 227 MONTREAL, QC H4C 2S6 info@laotraorilla.net T. +1 514.276.7396 15