The Chicos Mambo entertained critics and audiences at the Fringe in 2007 with its hit show Méli-Mélo II garnering awards and 4 and 5 star reviews. After hundreds of performances world-wide the company returned to Paris to create their new, off-the-wall and wild creation, Tutu.
Full of rhythm and humour, over the course of 20 scenes six dancers become icons of classical ballet, contemporary dance, and rhythmic, academic, or even acrobatic dance. Tutu is an invitation to those who love dance to experience familiar favourites in a lovingly feisty, fun way, or for those new to dance, an opportunity to explore some of the most famous and most significant works in the repertoire from Swan Lake to Pina Bausch… with a twist.
Packed full of colourful surprises that will wow and delight audiences, the company leads us through its theatrical and fanciful world. The six chameleon-esque men play all the roles - more than 40 characters that make us laugh, astonish and impress us.
Chicos Mambo is well known for its sense of humour as well as famous for its technical skills. This is dance at its versatile, atypical, irreverent, fun and artistic best.
Choreographer Philippe Lafeuille said, “After Méli-Mélo, Méli-Mélo 2 and hundreds of performances over the world, there was evi/dance for me to create a new show. A new choreographic delirium to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the company. So Méli-Mélo 3? No… TUTU. Two syllables that sound like an invitation to dance. Two syllables that symbolize the Dance of Chicos Mambo. A dance in which to review the most significant works of the world, through the TUTU, a symbolic icon of the choreographic universe. TUTU is a movement game in order to reset the greatest choreographies of our time, in a spicy and kindly way.”
“Without a doubt the most surprising and joyful show of the season.” Figaroscope on Tutu
“Want to forget all the worries of your life [...]? It’s easy, go admire the Chicos Mambo.” Marie France
“Such ambitious parody takes talent and technique- both of which the Mambo boys have in spades… comedy aside, the dancing itself is hugely enjoyable” The Scotsman 4*, Fringe 2017
“A seamless flow of parody in which these extraordinarily versatile and endearing dance comedians nailed the foibles and affectations of everything from Ballroom to Bharata Natyam” The Sunday Telegraph, 5* Fringe 2017
Tutu
Chicos Mambo
2-28 August (not 9, 15, 22), 4:00pm, Pleasance Grand
Edinburgh previews @ Pleasance Grand: 2 – 4 August, preview price £8.00
Prices:
£11.00/9.00 – 14,21,28
£12.50/11.00 – 10,16,17,23,24
£14.50/13.00 – 5,6,7,8,11,12,13, 18,19,20,25,26,27
Website: http://tutu.valprod.fr
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/tutuchicosmambo
Twitter @TUTUchicosmambo
Chicos Mambo
The company was created 20 years ago, in 1994, in Barcelona when Philippe LAFEUILLE met two dancers: a Catalan and a Venezuelan. Their experience as dancers and their sense of humour developed this spicy spirit, which is present in their shows.
Their first show in 1994 was a real success in Spain and in France. It was recognized by the critics and the public, so much so that the group even won the price of « Company - Revelation » in many competitions (Terradicim, Butaca, Sebastia Gasch). This incredible success brought them to the Spanish TV channel TV3, for which they created more than 200 original sketches.
Their show Méli-Mélo, created in 1998, allows them to organize an international tour. Presented first in Spain, then in France, and in Italy, the show was also performed in Japan for a two months tour. They’ve already done it twice in Paris for a long period - three months in Théâtre Déjazet in 1999, and three months in Théâtre du Gymnase in 2000.
The success carried on with Méli-Mélo II, presented for the first time at Avignon’s Festival OFF, in France, in 2006. This sequel won the price of « Best International Show » at Edinburgh Fringe Festival and toured regularly in Europe and North America until 2013. Today, the Chicos Mambo are well-known in the world: from Paris to Japan, through Canada, Luxembourg, Scotland, Netherland and Italy.
Conception / Choreography: Philippe Lafeuille
Dramaturgy: Romain Compingt
Technical Director: Albert Penouel
Lighting: Dominique Mabileau
Soundtrack: Antisten
Costumes: Corinne Petitpierre assisted by Anne Tesson
Light manager: Armand Coutant
Stage Manager: Victor Valette
Wardrobe: Cécile Flamand
Zentai: Corinne Barbara
Dancers: David Guasgua , Pierre-Emmanuel Langry, Julien Mercier, Guillaume Quéau, Vincenzo Veneruso, Stéphan Vitrano
Production/Distribution: VAL PRODUCTIONS Valéry Colin / Arnaud Sylvestre - info@valprod.fr
Cie La Feuille d’Automne team: Françoise Empio / Matthieu Salas
THE TEAM
Philippe Lafeuille - Conception and choreography
After discovering a work by Maurice Béjart, Philippe LAFEUILLE decided to study dance and entered the Solange Golovine Academy. Very quickly, he played roles in works by modern choreographers like Joseph RUSILLO and GOSS. As an artist capable of adapting, he danced in Madonna’s productions as well as in Rudolf Nureyev’s.
He started his career as a choreographer when he created the CHICOS MAMBO, where he was the principal dancer. With this company, he realises what he likes the most - turning dance into comedy! He is regularly asked as a choreographer to work on other projects. In 2011, he worked on the choreography of “Sleeping Beauty” with Corinne and Gilles Benizio (a.k.a. Shirley and Dino).
He is also a generous artist and the access to cultural activities holds a very important place in his career. Wishing to open more widely the access to choreographic creation, he manages projects including workshops in schools, and with associations of amateurs.
In 2011, he created a second company by the name of La Feuille d’Automne Company. Fond of interdisciplinarity, each one of his creations is a playground where he can mix dance, theatre, humour, and art... everything is possible!
Antisten - Soundtrack
Antisten is a sound and multimedia composer. He started his career as a duo known as Psykonote creating 2 albums and the soundtrack to a short film.
In 2004, Antisten continued his musical work on his own. Since 2006, he has dedicated himself to music composition and creating soundtracks for performance working with several well-known contemporary dance companies. He studied multimedia creating installations, connected to music, image and interaction between dance and music.
Corinne Petitpierre - Costumes
Born in 1966, Corinne PETITPIERRE graduated from the School of Arts and Techniques (stage design). With Yvan CLEDAT, her partner, she developed multiform and fun work, and also a taste for singular forms. Their works are shown in exhibitions at the Grande Halle de la Villette (2003, 2004 and 2007), at the Grand Palais (2009), or even at the FIAC of Paris (2012 and 2013). She also participates in the stage designing and costumes for some shows of the Geneva Opera (2006) and many other choreographers.
Dominique Mabileau - Lighting
Dominique MABILEAU creates, since 1979, lights for dance, opera and theater. Attached to music and lyrical theatre, she participated in universal creations of contemporary works, as well as baroque works reproductions.
Since many years, she also develops a personal approach as plastic artist, realising installations using the light. She collaborates in Philippe LAFEUILLE’s creations since 2006.
For TUTU, the company Chicos Mambo welcomes artists from different worlds: dance, theatre, mime... The cast for this production of TUTU is:
A National Center for Contemporary Dance graduate, David Guasgua joined Hervé Coubi’s company in 2006. He has also worked with choreographers like Gianni Joseph, Aniara Rodado, and Marcelo Murriagi. In 2013 he appeared as a guest with the Ecuador National Dance Company.
Pierre-Emmanuel Langry is a dancer and artist. He started his artistic career in theatre with the group Cabotins. He became acquainted with contemporary dance at the Rencontres Internationales de Danse Contemporaine (RIDC) and participated in the Professional Training of the artist and dancer Coline.
Julien Mercier is a dancer, artist and acrobat. He studied at the Ecole Superieure de Danse de Cannes Rosella Hightower, before joining the Jeune Ballet. After training in aerial acrobatics, he participated in several shows (Mamma Mia!, Holiday On Ice...), events and circus performances.
Guillaume Queau started his artistic career in the Ballet Junior de Genève. He then joined the Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet of New York for two years. Recently, he danced for Jacopo Godani in Frankfurt. He has had the privilege of performing the work of renowned choreographers such as Hofesh Shechter, Andonis Foniadakis, Jirí Kylian, Crystal Pite, Alexander Ekman, Thierry Malandain, William Forsythe, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Stijn Celis, Ohad Naharin and others.
Vincenzo Veneruso trained in the Teatro Di Napoli Dancing school under Anna Razzi’s and M.I Fernandez Aguero’s leadership. He studied pointe technique with the masters L. Boy and G. Petrosino. He also took an internship in the prestigious Bolshoi Ballet Academy of Moscow. Vincenzo took part in numerous Teatro Di Napoli’ productions including: The Nutcracker (with J.Dronina and G. Picone), Giselle(with S. Zajharova and s. Polunin), Zorba the Greek and The Sleeping Beauty.
Stéphane Vitrano is a dancer, an artist and a teacher. After a classical training in the Conservatoire National de Metz, he improved his contemporary one in Paris and Montpellier (EPSE Danse). once he became a state graduate professor, Stéphane started to perform for different companies in France and in Switzerland. In 2006, he joined La Compagnie Alias in Geneva from where he explored physical and theatrical themes. Since 2011, he has been working with the Compagnie Gaillota, participating in all their productions, including their national and international tours, with plays such as L’homme à tête de chou, Le Sacre du Printemps, Yvan Vaffan and L’Enfance de Mammame.
