Pierre-Jean Bréaud is the artistic director of Le Doux Supplice, a group of acrobats and dancers who will present Les Petites Éopées, this Thursday, June 11, 7 p.m., in the Brouzen parking lot, in Alès. A show which questions our ability to become one despite our differences.
What will Les Petites Épopées look like?
It is a show designed for public space. The spectators are seated on either side of a long stage which traces a sort of path. Our language is that of acrobatics, but we work more on collective movement than on prowess. The idea is to take the public on a common adventure. Through music, singing and movement, we seek to blur the boundaries between artists and spectators.
This creation starts from a simple question: “how can we do things together despite our differences?†Why this subject?
Because we are faced with issues that concern us all. In our team, there are different nationalities, different generations, different professions. We are already seeing on this scale that it is not always easy to understand each other or find a common language. However, we must move forward together. Those who disagree with us are not going to disappear. The question is therefore what brings us together beyond our differences.
We want spectators to have an experience rather than attend a performance
In this work, the crowd plays a central role. What fascinates you about this collective object?
We are working on the idea of a common adventure. We seek to create collective momentum with celebration, jubilation and movement as tools. We want audiences to have an experience rather than just watch a performance. There is something almost ritualistic. The idea is to bring out a common voice, to share desires but also concerns.
A crowd can also be manipulated. Does this ambiguity interest you?
Yes, very much so. I was very interested in manipulation mechanisms. When a person feels confident, they more easily agree to follow a collective movement. People are often more docile than they imagine. This is one of the questions the show asks: how far do we follow the group? When do we retain our free will? The collective is an extraordinary force, but it also carries dangers.
You insist on the fact that this is not a naive speech about living together. Why?
Because we start from a lucid observation about the time. We feel a form of urgency. It’s not a question of saying that everything will be better if we hold hands. Disagreements exist and will continue to exist. But we also have common causes and common challenges. This work helps me find meaning and keep momentum. If viewers walk away feeling like they’ve shared something with strangers and feel a little less alone, then we’ll have achieved our goal.
