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José Navas

Compagnie Flak
AVES
Show
Montreal

Solitude and solo

Dancing his life on stage, choreographer and dancer José Navas opens his heart and soul as he shares memories of his late partner. A luminous and touching homage.

In a series of six autobiographical solos, Navas pays tribute to William Douglas (1953–1996). Felled by AIDS in the prime of life, Douglas was renowned for the architectural elegance and intelligence of his award-winning choreographic works. The culmination of their artistic relationship, While Waiting, choreographed by Douglas and performed by Navas, earned them a Bessie Award in New York in 1994. On a bare stage, Navas tells their story in fluid dance, calling up his memories to music of James Brown, Billie Holiday, Bach, PJ Harvey, Dorothy Moore, Satie, and birdsong from the Amazon rainforest. A liberating show; an understated and heartfelt ritual. Deeply moving.

Artist(s)

Choreographer
José Navas

Founder and artistic director of Compagnie Flak since 1995, José Navas carries out his overall artistic approach in three distinct ways: he dances with intensity in solo shows charged with emotion, he constructs abstract and captivating group pieces, and he creates pieces of contemporary ballet with classicism and sensitivity.

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Credits

AVES

Choreographer and dancer José Navas.

Lighting Marc Parent.

Costumes José Navas.

Costume design Sonya Bayer, L'Atelier de couture Sonya B.

Technical Direction Marc Parent.

Production Compagnie Flak in coproduction with Theater im Pumpenhaus (Münster, Germany) and Danse Danse (Montreal).

Production Direction and Development Adrien Bussy.

Premiere De Schakel, Waregem (Belgium), October 26, 2022.

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