In Himalayas

Prayer for a Rope, a Pope, and a Rogue

Choreography: Richard Tremblay
Light and Scenography: Jean-Guy Lecat
Music: Bruno Paquet

Dancers: Peter Trosztmer, Sophie Janssens, Benoît Leduc, Radhika Jha, Pascale Léonard, and Richard Tremblay (in the role of the Ermit)
Percussionists at Premiere of work (2003): Bruno Paquet (Chenda, Maddalam, and Edakka),Shawn Mativetsky, Catherine Meunier, and Jagjit Singh (Tabla)

Laid on the huge scene, and bathed in a "dazzling light ", the seventy-five minutes choreography surprises by its radiance, its "tangible interiority", its performers' sensibility, and the music played on the stage. A dance admirably "wrapped up of numerous contrasts", as Montreal critiques write to underline the originality of this outstanding work.

Whereas body movements are bound to the earth, they are at the same time attracted towards heights. The torso, arms, pelvis, and legs, all is opened, offered to the world. But Tremblay fills the dancers' bodies of intense contractions, which invest them of a tangible interiority. (Translated from La Presse, Montreal.)

The hand movements–a characteristic of the Indian art–have their own charm.(Translated from Le Devoir, Montreal.)

Experimented stage artist Richard Tremblay explains that, beyond the cliches, his aim is to give a physical impression of the Himalayas. (Translated from Voir, Montreal.)

Choreographer Richard Tremblay brings outstanding dancers together on the stage with the musicians playing Bruno Paquet's innovative composition for percussion, the tabla, and the Kathakali percussion instruments. A prominent figure among Peter Brook's long-time collaborators, the French stage designer Jean-Guy Lecat joins in the production with his lights designing and, remarkably, with his all-white scene.

Prayer for a Rope, a Pope and a Rogue(2003)was first performed in Montreal. The work was copresented by Danse Kalashas, Usine C, Centre de création et de diffusion, and the Mahapooram Ensemble, with the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, the Conseil des Arts et des Lettres du Québec, and the City of Montreal.