Séquence 8: Masterful, Tender, and Mind-Blowing – A Curatorial Statement by Théâtre la Seizième’s Artistic & Managing Director Craig Holzschuh
November 24, 2014
The PuSh Festival further ventures into surprising forms of performing arts in 2015, from magic theatre with Bullet Catch to the dizzying heights of Les 7 doigts de la main’s Séquence 8. The latter is a masterful theatric display of acrobatics and circus that still manages to be a touching and intimate experience. We invited Craig Holzschuh, artistic and managing director at Théâtre la Seizième, our presenting partner of the Séquence 8 (along with Tom Lightburn) to share his curatorial insights on the Montreal troupe’s latest offering to Vancouver audiences.
I have known about Les 7 doigts de la main for some time now, and have seen their performances here and in Montreal. Two years ago, after seeing Séquence 8, I knew that it had to be presented to a Vancouver audience. I was completely blown away. Never had I seen a circus production explore human themes in such realistic context. It is a show that has stayed with me for such a very long time and I am sure that audiences here will not soon forget their experience with this production and this company.
Despite being at la TOHU in Montreal (a venue seating approximately a thousand patrons), I was impressed by the intimacy of the work. There was a real will by the company to create a bond with its audience. No doubt Théâtre la Seizième and PuSh Festival audiences will also be taken by Séquence 8. It’s hard not to be amazed by the artistry, passion and humanity of this work. It is a production very much anchored in the personal emotions of the characters. And, of course, there is the fact that the medium they use to share this with us is out-of–this-world, mind-blowing circus.
Vancouver audiences demand and deserve the best and the brightest from around the world. Les 7 doigts de la main are at the very top of their game, performing to rave reviews on Broadway, in London and all around the world. As part of Théâtre la Seizième’s 40th anniversary, we are thrilled to be partnering with the PuSh Festival to share this incredible work with our audiences.
Craig Holzschuh
Artistic & Managing Director
Théâtre la Seizième
Les 7 doigts de la main’s Séquence 8 will run January 22–24, at the Vancouver Playhouse, during the 2015 PuSh Festival. Don’t miss your chance to experience this awesome feat of contemporary circus. Tickets to Séquence 8 are available to book on the PuSh Pass (with surcharge), Youth Passport, or as single tickets via Tickets Tonight.