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 7.30pm The House, Plymouth
20th February, 7.30pm The Courtyard, Hereford
23rd February, 7.30pm Northern Stage, Newcastle
16th April, 7.30pm Lakeside Arts, Nottingham
27th April, 7.30pm Riley Theatre, Leeds
17th May, 7.30pm Wilton's Music Hall, London
7th June, 7.30pm Dance East, Ipswich
13th June, 7.30pm Queen’s Hall Arts Centre - Hexham
15th June, 7.30pm Enable US, Sheffield
26th June, 7.30pm The Exeter Northcott Theatre
27th June, 7.30pm 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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Nate Gibson
(he/him)
Set and Costumes Co-Designer
Jemima Colin
(she/her)
Apprentice Performer
Imogen Banks
(she/her)
Singer
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Andrew Gardiner
(he/they)
Associate Director
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Josh Harriette
(he/they)
Original Light Design
Natassa Argyropoulou
(she/her)
Performer
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Rachel Shipp
(she/her)
Production Manager & Relighter
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James Keane
(he/him)
Composer and Music Director
Alyssa Lisle
(she/her)
Performer
Ruth Howard
(she/her)
Performer
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Helen Hebert
(she/her)
Set and Costumes Co-Designer
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Coralie Calfond
(she/her)
Performer
Zara Phillips
(she/her)
Performer
Costume Superviser:
Yve Ngoo
Touring Technician:
Jess Avery
Creative Producer:
Rachel Jean Birch (Moving Art Management)
Tour Booker:
Digital Designer:
Cave and Sky
Photographer:
Luke Waddington
Social Media Manager:
Jessica Mallinson
PR - Communications Consultant:
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
