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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.
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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.
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TOUR 2024
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14th February
The House, Plymouth
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20th February
The Courtyard, Hereford
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23rd February,
Northern Stage, Newcastle
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16th April
Lakeside Arts, Nottingham
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27th April
Riley Theatre, Leeds
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17th May
Wilton's Music Hall, London
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7th June
Dance East, Ipswich
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13th June
Queen’s Hall Arts Centre - Hexham
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15th June
Enable US, Sheffield​
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26th June
The Exeter Northcott Theatre
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28th June
Guildhall Arts Centre, Grantham
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TOUR 2022
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5th February
Gosforth Civic Theatre – Newcastle
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10th February
The Darlington Hippodrome
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11th February
The Alnwick Playhouse
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12th February
Hartlepool Borough Hall
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16th February
Middlesbrough Town Hall
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17th February
Queen’s Hall Arts Centre - Hexham
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19th February
The Fire Station – Sunderland
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24th February
The Witham – Barnard Castle
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26th February
Dance City – Newcastle
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"At the heart of The Monocle is an incredible story which is told with a complete understanding and empathy."
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Neill Kovacic-Clarke - Pink Prince Theatre
"Atmospheric and intense as immaculate storytelling combines with sublime, sinuous dance, The Monocle is stunning."
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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."
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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"
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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"
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Helen Redfern - NARC Magazine
"Geffré’s choreography feels daring, skilful, and firmly rooted in his signature stylistic language that blends virtuosity with delicate detail."
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Pagan Hunt - COMMOTION.substack.com
“That was stunning! I laughed, smiled, I was scared and schocked, but moved”
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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"
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Tamzin Mackie - Cultured North East
The Creative Team
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Mathieu Geffré
(he/they)
Artistic Director - Choreographer
Imogen Banks
(she/her)
Singer
Natassa Argyropoulou
(she/her)
Performer
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Nate Gibson
(he/him)
Set and Costumes Co-Designer
-9.jpg)
Andrew Gardiner
(he/they)
Associate Director
Alyssa Lisle
(she/her)
Performer
Ruth Howard
(she/her)
Performer
-11%202.jpg)
Josh Harriette
(he/they)
Original Light Design
-20.jpg)
Rachel Shipp
(she/her)
Production Manager & Relighter
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Coralie Calfond
(she/her)
Performer
Zara Phillips
(she/her)
Performer
-13.jpg)
James Keane
(he/him)
Composer and Music Director
Jemima Colin
(she/her)
Apprentice Performer
-6.jpg)
Helen Hebert
(she/her)
Set and Costumes Co-Designer
Rendez-Vous dance Executive Director:
Creative Producer:
Rachel Jean Birch (Moving Art Management)
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Tour Booker:
Costume Superviser:
Yve Ngoo
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Touring Technician:
Jess Avery
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Digital Designer:
Cave and Sky
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Photographer:
Luke Waddington
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Social Media Manager:
Jessica Mallinson
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Press and Media:
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BSL Interpreter:
Caroline Ryan
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Audio Describer:
Illuminate Freedom
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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
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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
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To download the full transcript please click on the above AD logo
