A small platform, shoes, microphones and idiosyncratic sounds are part of a ritual that dancer-choreographer François Chaignaud and musician Aymeric Hainaux have decided to develop together. Actions and things carry multiple meanings, even the title Mirlitons refers to both children’s flutes and Louis d’or gold coins. The term “mirliton” also stands for a pastry as well as a historical hat used in the French military. There is nothing shrill about this duet, however. It’s boisterous and nerdy in a whimsical way. Whether as a battle, a concert or a ritual – with their score of odd cadences, the two artists transform the stage into a playground with unpredictable, changing rules that turn excess into therapy on the path to conflict resolution.
Concept and performance: Aymeric Hainaux and François Chaignaud
Artistic collaboration: Sarah Chaumette
Costume design: Sari Brunel
Lighting design: Marinette Buchy
Sound: Jean Louis Waflart, Patrick Faubert and Aude Besnard
Technical management: Marinette Buchy and Anthony Merlaud
Production: Mandorle productions (Garance Roggero, Jeanne Lefèvre and Emma Forster)
International distribution: APROPIC–Line Rousseau–Marion Gauvent
Co-production: MC93 – Maison de la Culture de Seine-Saint-Denis (FR), Festival d’Automne à Paris (FR), Charleroi danse – Centre chorégraphique de la Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles (BE),
Maison de la Danse Lyon – Pôle européen de création (FR), Festival Next (FR/BE), Theater Rotterdam (NL), Triennale di Milano (IT), KunstFestSpiele Herrenhausen Hannover (DE) and Bonlieu Scène nationale Annecy (FR)
Mandorle productions is subsidised by the French Ministry of Culture DRAC Auvergne-
Rhône-Alpes (FR) and the region Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (FR).
François Chaignaud is an artist associated with Bonlieu Scène nationale Annecy (FR),
with Chaillot – Théâtre national de la Danse (FR) and with Maison de la danse
and the Biennale de la danse de Lyon (FR).
Supported by Espace Pasolini/Laboratoire artistique Valenciennes (FR), La Villette Paris – Initiatives d’Artistes (FR), Malraux – Scène nationale de Chambéry Savoie (FR) und Les Aires – Théâtre de Die et du Diois, scènes conventionnées d’intérêt national – « Art en territoire » (FR)
Special thanks: Balakumar, Edouard Prabhu and Prune Becheau
