| Lands End | Compagnie Philippe Genty |
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‘These artists breathe life into dreams. Simply ravishing’ Le Telegramme, France
‘Genty’s art can tug at the heart and refresh the spirit. Seeing is indeed believing’ The Australian
Acclaimed French master of theatrical fantasy and illusion, Philippe Genty, launches the Australian premiere season of his latest work Lands End at the Arts Centre, State Theatre,
12 – 16 August 2008.
Conceived and directed with Genty’s long-time collaborator and wife Mary Underwood, Lands End features a brilliant cast of seven multi-skilled performers who offer a breathtaking visual feast of theatrical illusion, dance and puppetry. This is Genty’s largest production to tour to Australia.
Lands End is the story of a meeting between two people in a landscape of kaleidoscopic dreams. Conjuring a series of enigmatic characters and deeply moving vignettes, Lands End takes audiences to the far reaches of the imagination, unfolding one stunning image after another. A woman dances with a giant insect, which has an unsettling human face; a man searches through a towering bank of billowing clouds made of plastic bags; the couple transform into ten-foot high puppets whose limbs are manipulated into a tender embrace by the entire company.
Genty states, ‘As everyone knows, reality imitates illusion. From illusion to reality, the Philippe Genty company travels through a universe where absurd, derisive, cruel images fit into a method of association without narrative logic, as in a dream.’
Originally studying as a graphic designer in Paris, Philippe Genty has been enchanting audiences for more than 40 years with his dreamlike theatre. He and his company have performed all over the world, including multiple visits to Australia where he has attracted a loyal following. Compagnie Philippe Genty last performed in Melbourne in 2004 with Vanishing Point, presented at the Comedy Theatre and last performed at the Arts Centre with Dedale in April 2000. In October 2006, the Arts Centre, through FULL TILT, presented a sold-out Artist Talk with Philippe Genty. Lands End premiered in Nevers, France in November 2005 and since then has toured throughout Europe, Japan, Hong Kong and Macau, receiving enthusiastic acclaim from both critics and audiences alike.
Lands End invites audiences to enter a magical world where anything is possible, and seeing is believing. But with only 5 performances in Melbourne – blink and you might miss it!
Supported by the French Embassy and Alliance Francaise.
the Arts Centre in association with Arts Projects Australia presents
LANDS END
by Philippe Genty
Directed by Philippe Genty and Mary Underwood
Performed by Compagnie Philippe Genty
Venue: the Arts Centre, State Theatre
Dates: 12 August – 16 August 2008
Tickets: $89.00 - $39.00 | On sale 28 April 2008
Bookings: theartscentre.com.au *, 1300 136 166*, the Arts Centre Box Office or Ticketmaster outlets
* Transaction fee applies
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