BOW'T TRAIL Retrospek
The awarded piece of two PRIX DE LA DANSE 2020 (Grand Prix and Envol prize) continues its international tour in 2022-2023.
“BOW’T TRAIL Retrospek is a palimpsest of solemn beauty, enriched by the research its actor has done and by each of the layers that have been added to her creation.” Philippe Mangerel, JEU Revue de théâtre
INTERNATIONAL TOUR 2025
April 4 & 5, 2025 - DANCE IMMERSION, Toronto, Canada
BOW'T TRAIL Retrospek, the ambassador piece of the BOW’T serie, is a conversation between the present and the past, combined to the channelling body of Désir, where more than 130 testimonies collected on 7 lands of the Americas still reside. The choreographer, driven by a desire and a need to transcend her origins, has been carrying research since 2015 in the Americas (Martinique, Brazil, Haïti, Canada, Mexico and United States) to immerse herself with the African cultures and rhythms deployed by the peoples who were deported there.
On stage and accompanied by two maestros, Rhodnie Désir is supported by these majestic rhythms. In addition to rich and ethereal polyrhythmic sonorities, the power of her body is enveloped by video projections illustrating her approach to the bearers of memory who inspired her; thus uniting the public with the subject matter and encompassing textures, images and sounds with multiple dimensions.
Since its premiere at Espace Libre (Montreal) in 2020, this work has received many honours including the Grand Prix and the Prix Envol (Prix de la Danse de Montréal, 2020). In 2022, BOW'T TRAIL Rétrospek will continue its journey from the Americas to Europe.
In 2013, Rhodnie created the work BOW'T. From this project and over the course of 10 years, nine pieces in nine locations and various powerful documentary elements (web documentary, web series, medium-length film) were created, as well as an exhibition. The totality of this journey bears the name BOW'T TRAIL. Today, the sole work that is touring is BOW'T TRAIL Rétrospek.
CREDITS
Co-production
RD Créations, National Arts Center of Ottawa
Creation partners
Canada arts council
Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec
Conseil des arts de Montréal
Espace Libre
Centre de création O'Vertigo
Choreography, dancer, artistic direction and vocal compositions
Rhodnie Désir
Musicians
Engone Endong & Jahsun
Video designer
Manuel Chantre
Lighting designer
Juliette Dumaine
Lighting designer (accessories)
Jonathan Barro
Costume designer
Mélanie Fererro
Beatmaker and music composer
Engone Endong
Artistic Senior Consultant
Philip Szporer
Creative support
Isabelle Poirier
James Viveiros
Cutter (costume)
Phoebé Folco Millette
Dressmaker
Natalie Talbot
RD Creations technical team
Documentary video images from BOW’T TRAIL