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Welcome to The Monocle, where nothing is impossible!

This highly virtuosic contemporary dance performance featuring the voluptuous jazz chanteuse Imogen Banks presents the untold story of Le Monocle, a secretly notorious lesbian cabaret in 1930s Paris. Inside The Monocle the air is thick, warm and wavy with secrets and sensuality. Women laugh loudly, drink the night away and abandon themselves into smooth and passionate dances. Just for one night, be our guest at The Monocle and experience the joy of what it feels like to be in a truly safe space.

A Made In The North East (MITNE) commission, Mathieu Geffré was awarded this prestigious commission by a consortium of nine north east venues at the culmination of a three- year strategic dance audience development project led by Dance City and made possible with funding from Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. The project aimed for the partners to develop a better understanding and commitment to programming dance performances in the region. 

TOUR 2024

14th February 

The House, Plymouth

20th February

The Courtyard, Hereford

23rd February, 

Northern Stage, Newcastle

16th April

Lakeside Arts, Nottingham

27th April

Riley Theatre, Leeds

17th May

Wilton's Music Hall, London

7th June

Dance East, Ipswich

13th June

Queen’s Hall Arts Centre - Hexham

15th June

Enable US, Sheffield

26th June 

The Exeter Northcott Theatre

28th June 

Guildhall Arts Centre, Grantham

 

TOUR 2022

5th February 

Gosforth Civic Theatre – Newcastle

10th February 

The Darlington Hippodrome

11th February 

The Alnwick Playhouse

12th February 

Hartlepool Borough Hall

16th February 

Middlesbrough Town Hall

17th February 

Queen’s Hall Arts Centre - Hexham

19th February 

The Fire Station – Sunderland

24th February 

The Witham – Barnard Castle

26th February 

Dance City – Newcastle

"At the heart of The Monocle is an incredible story which is told with a complete understanding and empathy."

Neill Kovacic-Clarke - Pink Prince Theatre

"Atmospheric and intense as immaculate storytelling combines with sublime, sinuous dance, The Monocle is stunning."

Rosie Sharman-Ward - Pink Prince Theatre Review

"This new première at Northern Stage 2 was a thrill—more dangerous, more skilled, more focused, a richly shaped work."

Dora Frankel - British Theatre Guide

"As an audience member,(...), I just wanted to join in with many of the loving and joyful scenes of women mingling and drinking"

Cait Jobson - The Crack Magazine

"Mathieu offers us a gift here: the opportunity to see for ourselves what it looks like to be free in a safe space"

Helen Redfern - NARC Magazine

"Geffré’s choreography feels daring, skilful, and firmly rooted in his signature stylistic language that blends virtuosity with delicate detail."

Pagan Hunt - COMMOTION.substack.com

“That was stunning! I laughed, smiled, I was scared and schocked, but moved”

Ste Dunn - Northern Pride Director

"Choreography is playful, tender and sensual, with powerful individual characterisation by each dancer. The piece is a fascinating interpretation of a historical moment in Europe helping to make subcultures visible"

Tamzin Mackie - Cultured North East

The Creative Team

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Mathieu Geffré

(he/they)

Artistic Director - Choreographer

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Imogen Banks

(she/her)

Singer

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Natassa Argyropoulou

(she/her)

 Performer

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Nate Gibson

(he/him)

Set and Costumes Co-Designer

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Andrew Gardiner

(he/they)

Associate Director

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Alyssa Lisle

(she/her)

Performer

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Ruth Howard

(she/her)

 Performer

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Josh Harriette

(he/they)

Original Light Design

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Rachel Shipp

(she/her)

Production Manager & Relighter

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Coralie Calfond

(she/her)

 Performer

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Zara Phillips

(she/her)

Performer

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James Keane

(he/him)

Composer and Music Director

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Jemima Colin

(she/her)

Apprentice Performer

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Helen Hebert

(she/her)

Set and Costumes Co-Designer

 

Rendez-Vous dance Executive Director:

Phil Douglas

 

Creative Producer:

Rachel Jean Birch (Moving Art Management)

Tour Booker:

Sarah Trist

 

Costume Superviser:

Yve Ngoo

Touring Technician:

Jess Avery

Digital Designer:

Cave and Sky

Photographer:

Luke Waddington

Social Media Manager:

Jessica Mallinson

Press and Media:

Robert James

BSL Interpreter:

Caroline Ryan

Audio Describer:

Illuminate Freedom

Special thanks to Northern School of Contemporary Dance, Queen's Hall Arts Centre Hexham, Curious Arts, Prohibition Cabaret Bar and Greenheart Collective for their generous support

We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to Eileih Muir, Ellis Saul and Nicole Nevitt for their contribution towards the creation and development of this production

To download the full transcript please click on the above AD logo

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Why The Monocle?
Why Me?
Why Now?

Mathieu Geffré

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