Natchav

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 town’s authorities 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.
Like a film shot live, this shadow theatre production combines visuals and music to invent its own language as it plays with the codes of the circus and cinema. Mixing reality and fantasy, Natchav is a taste of freedom.

Idea and design: Les ombres portées
Manipulation and lights: 4 puppeteers (alternating)
Margot Chamberlin, Erol Gülgönen, Florence Kormann, Frédéric Laügt, Marion Lefebvre, Christophe Pagnon, Claire Van Zande
Music and sound effects: 2 musicians (alternating)
Séline Gülgönen (clarinet, accordion, percussion), Jean Lucas (trombone, accordion, percussion), Simon Plane (trumpet, accordion, percussion), Lionel Riou (trumpet, accordion, percussion)
Lighting: 1 lighting director (alternating)
Nicolas Dalban–Moreynas, Thibault Moutin
Sound: 1 sound director (alternating)
Frédéric Laügt, Yaniz Mango, Corentin Vigot
Costumes: Zoé Caugant
Sound effect machines: Léo Maurel
Distribution: Christelle Lechat
Production and administration: Sarah Eliot
With help from: Baptiste Bouquin (outside ear), and 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.

Teaser for Natchav

The Creation of Shadows
an exhibition based on the show Natchav

It took three years to produce the show Natchav. This exhibition presents a collection of drawings and photographs that retrace the journey of this adventure — from the conception of the story to the creation of the sets.

Selection of images from the exhibition (to the right)

For an overview of the full exhibition, download the PDF below

Production costs and technical specs available upon request

Co–production partners:
Maison de la Culture de Nevers Agglomération
La Minoterie, Scène convention Art, Enfance, Jeunesse, Dijon
Le Théâtre, scène conventionnée de Laval
Théâtre–Sénart, scène nationale
TJP, CDN Strasbourg – Grand Est

Artist residencies:
Espace Périphérique – Mairie de Paris – Parc de la Villette
Festival Momix and the CREA, scène conventionnée Jeune Public d’Alsace, Kingersheim
La Fabrique, Messeugne
La Faïencerie, Théâtre de Creil
La Ferme du Buisson, scène nationale de Marne–la–Vallée
La Fonderie, Le Mans
La Maison des Enfants du Quercy, Le Bouyssou
Le TANDEM, scène nationale, Arras–Douai
Le Tas de Sable, Amiens
MA scène nationale – Pays de Montbéliard
Théâtre La Licorne, Dunkerque

Artistic grants:
Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication – DRAC Île–de–France – Région Île–de–France