Compagnie LagunArte
« Dong ! »
Music - circus
23.24.25.26 april 09
Thursday, Friday 8.15pm / Saturday 3.30pm & 9pm / Sunday 3.15 & 6.30pm
Dong!, a show originating in the Basque country, brings with it chimes, bells, and bell towers. This show mixes bell ringing, vocals, string instruments and amplified sounds, and tells the story of an identity, that of a language spoken by a minority which goes against the flow, determined to make itself heard, in a joyous cacophony of circus, tradition and music.
Bells help mark time, calls in the cattle and alerts men of danger. But it is also a form of ritual music. It is a very strange bell tower indeed that the Basque company LagunArte asks us to gather around. They have created a canvas structure, a circus tent in the shape of a bell. Dong! has three musicians - traditional Basque singer, strings, percussions. The three of them have travelled throughout China, the Pyrenees and the Basque country in order to collect the sound of many types of carillons, chimes and bells. A trapeze artist from the Iota company has joined them in their travels. She is the tongue and the heart of the bell. In this musical circus, she leads the dialogue with the artists, who assume various roles: speakers, bell ringers, singers, missionaries and shepherds.
Background
The company LagunArte was founded in the Basque country in 2001. It finds its inspiration in its cross-cultural heritage. It also works on the research and transmission of aural musical expressions, and organises many opportunities to mix circus and other media such as literature, movement and visual arts. In the space of eight years, LagunArte has produced 9 shows: Dong! (first production 2008, a show on campanology, bells, chimes, sounds and meaning), Gaua (with 30 participants on night rituals) , Ahoz Aho, Kaia, Bilika et Borroka, Kate bat eta Kitto, Arana Orkestra, DI Trio et Mihakan.
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Cast and crew
Artistic Director: Kristof Hiriart & Pantxix Bidart.
Bells, vocals, strings: Pantxix Bidart.
Cello: Julie Läderach.
Bells, vocals, percussions: Kristof Hiriart.
Acrobat, swinging trapeze: Laetitia Vieceli
Scenography by Toni Casalonga.
Lighting Design by Ximun Carrère.
Sound by Patrick Fischer.
Production Manager: Christine Garay.
Communication Manager and Booking Agent: Vincent Delpech.
Accountant: Annick Irungaray.
Stage Manager: Beñadin Lohiague.
Thanks to
Co-productions & Residence: AGORA, Lieux Publics, Festivoce, OARA, Jo Bithume, Ecole de cirque de Chatellerault, Garaitzeko Asi, Conseil Général des Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Région Aquitaine, Institut culturel basque, Gouvernement basque, Biarritz Culture.
With the support of: ONDA (TBC).
