Premiered in December 2019 at La Maison de la Culture de Nevers Agglomération

Shadow and music theatre
all ages (8 years and older)

At the first light of dawn, the Natchav circus arrives to town. Soon, the first blows of the sledgehammer ring out, and the sound of the immense canvas whipping through the air can be heard as it unfurls along the tent poles being hoisted towards the sky. But the authorities don't take such a poetic view and oppose this new arrival... The circus performers resist; an acrobat is arrested and a whole world becomes imprisoned.

Natchav, meaning “to go away, to run away” in Rromani, recounts the adventures of a circus that — to remain free — defies every rule, including the laws of gravity. Four puppeteers and two musicians/foley artists confront two worlds in total opposition, that of the circus and that of the prison. Like a film shot live on stage, they take us on an adventure while simultaneously revealing what goes on behind the scenes.

Teaser for Natchav

To accompany the performances of Natchav, the company is presenting an exhibition entitled The creation of shadows. It features drawings and photographs that retrace the journey of this adventure – from the conception of the story to the creation of the sets and rehearsals.

Selection of images from the exhibition (to the right). For an overview of the full exhibition, download the PDF below.

Idea and design: Les ombres portées

Manipulation and lights: 4 puppeteers (alternating)
Erol Gülgönen, Florence Kormann, Frédéric Laügt, Marion Lefebvre, Christophe Pagnon, Claire Van Zande
Music and sound effects: 2 musicians (alternating)
Séline Gülgönen (clarinet), Jean Lucas (trombone, accordion), Simon Plane (trumpet, tuba, accordion, percussion), Lionel Riou (trumpet or trombone, accordion, percussion)
Lighting: 1 lighting director (alternating)
Nicolas Dalban–Moreynas, Thibault Moutin
Sound: 1 sound director (alternating)
Frédéric Laügt, Yaniz Mango, Corentin Vigot
Production and distribution: Christelle Lechat
Production and administration: Susanna Hsing

Margot Chamberlin participated to the set design and performed this show from 2019 to 2023.

With help from: Zoé Caugant (Costumes), Léo Maurel (sound effect machines), Baptiste Bouquin (outside ear), Jean-Yves Pénafiel (outside eye).
Also thanks to: Francine Benotman, Jacques Bouault, Stéphane Revelant and Elsa Vanzande.

We dedicate this show to Olivier Cueto, a member of the company who passed away in March 2020. He imagined, created and performed this show with us until the very end.

Co-productions and residencies :
Espace Périphérique - Mairie de Paris - Parc de la Villette
 • La Fabrique, Messeugne 
• La Faïencerie, théâtre de Creil 
• La Ferme du Buisson, scène nationale de Marne-la-Vallée
 • Festival Momix et le CREA, scène conventionnée Jeune Public d’Alsace, Kingersheim • La Fonderie, Le Mans • Le Théâtre, scène conventionnée de Laval
 • Maison de la Culture de Nevers Agglomération
 
• La Maison des Enfants du Quercy, Le Bouyssou
 
• MA scène nationale – Pays de Montbéliard
 • La Minoterie, Scène convention Art, Enfance, Jeunesse, Dijon
 • Le TANDEM, scène nationale, Arras-Douai
 • Le Tas de Sable, Amiens • Théâtre La Licorne, Dunkerque • Théâtre-Sénart, scène nationale
 • TJP, CDN Strasbourg - Grand Est

Grants:
• Ministère de la Culture - DRAC Île-de-France
• Région Île-de-France

Financial information and technical rider available upon request