Four of Greece’s dancers star in world premiere
Four Greek dancers, members of Lia Meletopoulou’s Small Dance Theater troupe, were chosen by celebrated French choreographer Charles Cre-Ange this year to interpret his new production Four Women. Beginning tonight, lead dancers Martha Kloukina, Katerina Skiada, Vanessa Spinasa and Thomi Stamouli, will perform the work’s world premiere at the theater Ergostasio (Performances run to Saturday). The event is co-organized by the French Institute in Athens. According to the French choreographer, who is collaborating with Meletopoulou’s Small Dance Theater for the second time, the work takes the form of a female quartet, resembling a string quartet. Last year, Cre-Ange, along with two of his dancers, offered a single performance at the Ergostasio, while a few days later they gave a seminar for professional dancers. Initially, the idea was to present works by both of us, Meletopoulou told Kathimerini. Eventually, however, the plan changed and as a result, following ‘Four Women,’ in the second part of the evening, Charles Cre-Ange along with dancer Severine Paquier will interpret ‘Outlaws,’ a quest for personal freedom through movement. According to Cre-Ange, living outside the law means denying the rules, knocking down the boundaries and defining one’s own goals. The essence of this is interpreted via a duet, a highly personal interpretation of what passion might be. Cre-Ange, who belongs to an up-and-coming new generation of French choreographers, founded his company in 1984. Since then he has created a number of dance works, including a large number of co-productions. He has also traveled and taught extensively throughout Europe. Meletopoulou has closely followed Cre-Ange’s creative processes in the last few months. How does she perceive his work? His choreographies are very contemporary and have a lot of movement. They are a whirlwind of dance, where emphasis is given to the details in movement, elements which make the works highly personal. Every aspect of the performance is decided by Cre-Ange, whether it’s the choreography, the lighting, the music or the costumes. Charles Cre-Ange’s Four Women and Outlaws can be seen at Ergostasio, 268 Vouliagmenis Avenue, tel 973.1993. Performances begin at 9 p.m. through November 17. SANDRA VOULGARI
