Natchav

Natchav

the show

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.

The Team

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, Jean Lucas, Simon Plane, Lionel Riou
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

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

The Exhibition

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.

partners

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

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2023 / 2024

Natchav
Vernier (Suisse)
Salle of Lignon
From October 12 to 14, 2023
Thursday 12 October 10am and 2pm Friday 13 October 8pm Saturday 14 October 18h
Natchav
Choisy-le-Roi (94)
Théâtre ciméma
From October 19 to 21, 2023
Thursday 19 October 2.30 pm Friday 20 October 10am and 2:30pm Saturday 21 October 18h
Natchav
Louvain-la-Neuve (Belgium)
Le Vilar
From November 21 to 23, 2023
Tuesday, November 21 8 pm Wednesday 22 November 8pm Thursday 23 November at 1.30pm and 7pm
Natchav
Reims (51)
Le Manège, scène nationale
From December 12 to 15, 2023
Tuesday 12 December 19h Wednesday 13 December 19h Thursday 14 December 10am and 2.30pm Friday 15 December 10am and 2.30pm
Saturday 16 December, 10h-12h30
Natchav
Thuir (66)
Théâtre des Aspres
From December 20 to 21, 2023
Wednesday 20 December 6.45 pm Thursday 21 December 8.30 pm
Natchav
Villeurbanne (69)
TNP - Théâtre national populaire
From January 09 to 13, 2024
Tuesday 9 January 14h30 and 19h Wednesday 10 January 3pm Thursday 11 January 10am and 2:30pm Friday 12 January 10am and 2:30pm Saturday 13 January 11am and 5pm
Natchav
La Courneuve (93)
Houdremont, centre culturel
Jan. 26, 2024
Friday 26 January 14h30 and 19h
Natchav
Saint-Denis (93)
TGP - Théâtre Gérard Philipe, Centre dramatique national
From January 31 to Feb. 3, 2024
Wednesday 31 January 3pm Thursday 1 February 10am and 2.30pm Friday 2 February 10am and 2.30pm Saturday 3 February 4pm
Natchav
Enghien-les-Bains (95)
CDA - Centre des arts, scène conventionnée
From March 03 to 4, 2024
Sunday 3 March 3pm Monday 4 March 10am
Natchav
La Roche-sur-Yon (85)
Le Grand R, scène nationale
From March 11 to 12, 2024
Monday, March 11, 2:15 p.m. Tuesday 12 March 14.15 p.m. and 19h p.m.
Natchav
Louvain (Belgique)
30CC with Boze Wolf Festival
From April 21 to 22, 2024
sunday april 21 1:30 pm and 5 pm monday 22 april 10h30
Natchav
Bruges (Belgique)
Centre culturel
From April 24 to 25, 2024
Wednesday 24 April 8pm Thursday 25 April 10am and 2pm

2022 / 2023

Natchav
Pantin (93)
Théâtre du Fil de l’eau
From October 07 to 8, 2022
Friday 7 October at 2.45pm and 8pm - Saturday, October 8 at 6pm
Saturday, October 8 from 2 pm to 4.30 pm
Natchav
Bron (69) - FR
Pôles en scènes à l’Espace Albert Camus
Nov. 10, 2022
Thursday 10 November at 14:30pm and 8:30pm
Natchav
Esch-sur-Alzette (Luxembourg)
Escher Theater
From November 17 to 18, 2022
Thursday, November 17 at 10am - Friday, November 18 at 10am and 8pm
Thursday, November 17 from 2:30 to 5:00 pm
Natchav
Metz (57) - FR
Cité musicale à la BAM
From November 23 to 25, 2022
Wednesday 23 November at 3pm and 7pm - Thursday, November 24 at 10am and 2pm
Natchav
Bar le Duc (55) - FR
acb, scène nationale
From December 02 to 3, 2022
Friday 2 December at 14h - Saturday 3 December at 3pm
Saturday, December 3 from 9:30 am to 12 pm
Natchav
Auch (32) - FR
CIRCA
From December 09 to 10, 2022
Friday, December 9 at 2pm - Saturday, December 10 at 5pm
Natchav
Nérac (47) - FR
Espace d’Albret
From December 14 to 15, 2022
Wednesday 14 December at 8pm - Thursday, December 15 at 10am
Initiation au théâtre d'ombres avec des élèves allophones mercredi 14 décembre de 9h à12h
Natchav
St Quentin en Yvelines (78) - FR
TSQY, Scène nationale
From January 11 to 14, 2023
Wednesday 11 January at 3pm and 8.30pm - Thursday 12 January at 14h and 19.30 - Friday 13 January at 2pm and 8.30pm - Saturday, January 14 at 6pm
Saturday January 14 from 10am to 12:30pm
Natchav
Ivry-sur-Seine (94) - FR
Théâtre Antoine Vitez
From January 24 to 28, 2023
Tuesday 24 January at 14h30 - Wednesday 25 January at 10am and 2.30pm - Thursday 26 January at 10am and 2.30pm - Friday 27 January at 10am and 2.30pm - Saturday, January 28 at 5pm
Natchav
Ifs (14) - FR
Le Sablier - Centre National de la Marionnette
Feb. 7, 2023
Tuesday 7 February at 14:30 and 19:30
Natchav
Bayeux (14) - FR
La Halle Ô Grains
Feb. 10, 2023
Friday, February 10 at 2:30 pm and 8 pm
Saturday, February 11 from 10 am to 12:30 pm
Natchav
Ris-Orangis (91) - FR
Centre culturel Robert Desnos with The Scène nationale de l’Essonne
From February 16 to 17, 2023
Thursday 16 February at 14h45 and 19h - Friday, February 17 at 10am
Natchav
Besançon (25) - FR
Théâtre de l’Espace - Les 2 scènes, scène nationale de Besançon
From February 28 to March 3, 2023
Tuesday, February 28 at 8pm - Wednesday, March 1st at 3pm and 7pm - Thursday, March 2 at 10am and 2:30pm - Friday 3 March 10am
Natchav
Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy (54) - FR
CCAM, scène nationale
From March 15 to 17, 2023
Wednesday, March 15 at 7pm - Thursday, March 16 at 10am and 2:30pm - Friday, March 17 at 10am
Natchav
Marseille (13) - FR
Théâtre Massalia, Scène conventionnée
From March 25 to 27, 2023
Saturday, March 25 at 7pm - Sunday, March 26 at 5pm - Monday, March 27 at 9:45 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Sunday March 26 from 10:30 am to 1 pm
Natchav
Port-de-Bouc (13)
Théâtre Le Sémaphore, scène conventionnée
From March 31 to April 1, 2023
Friday 31 March at 10am and 2.30pm Saturday, April 1st at 5pm
Saturday, April 1 from 10:30 am to 1 p.m.
Natchav
Fontenay-sous-Bois (94)
Salle Jacques Brel avec Fontenay en scènes
April 7, 2023
Friday, April 7 at 2:30 pm and 8 pm
Natchav
Champigny-sur-Marne (94) - FR
Théâtre Gérard-Philipe
From April 14 to 15, 2023
Friday, April 14 at 9:45 am and 2:30 pm Saturday 15 April 5pm
Natchav
Clamart (92) - FR
Théâtre Jean Arp, scène conventionnée
From June 01 to 2, 2023
Thursday, June 1st at 2pm15 Friday 2 June at 2pm15 and 7pm30

2021 / 2022

Natchav
Herblay (95 - FR)
Théâtre Roger Barat as part of the Festival Les Marmots
From September 10 to 11, 2021
Natchav
Charleville-Mézières (08 - FR)
Festival mondial des théâtres de marionnettes
From September 17 to 19, 2021
Natchav
Cormeilles-en-Parisis (FR - 95)
Théâtre du Cormier
From October 08 to 9, 2021
Natchav
Noisiel (FR - 77)
La Ferme du Buisson, scène nationale de Marne-la-Vallée
From October 21 to 22, 2021
Natchav
Forbach (FR - 57)
Festival franco-allemand Loostik
From November 09 to 10, 2021
Natchav
Gradignan (33 - FR)
Théâtre des Quatre Saisons, Scène Conventionnée d'intérêt national « Art et Création »
From November 19 to 20, 2021
Natchav
Chevilly-Larue (94 - FR)
Théâtre Chevilly-Larue André Malraux
From December 02 to 3, 2021
Natchav
Vendôme (41 - FR)
L'Hectare
From December 07 to 8, 2021
Natchav
Montbéliard (25 - FR)
MA Scène Nationale, Pays de Montbéliard
From December 15 to 17, 2021
Natchav
Saint-Genis-Laval (69 - FR)
La Mouche
From January 13 to 14, 2022
Natchav
Huningue (68 - FR)
Le Triangle, as part of the Festival Compli’Cité with Momix
Jan. 21, 2022
Natchav
Nürnberg, Germany
Festival panoptikum
From February 10 to 11, 2022
Natchav
Abon-sur-Seine (91 - FR)
Les Bords de Seine, Espace culturel Alain-Poher
From February 18 to 19, 2022
Natchav
Auray (FR - 56)
Festival Méliscènes, Centre Culturel Athena
March 22, 2022
Natchav
Bourges (18 - FR)
Maison de la Culture de Bourges
From March 29 to 31, 2022
Natchav
Château-Gontier (53 - FR)
Le Carré, scène nationale
From April 07 to 8, 2022
Natchav
Guyancourt (78 - FR)
La Ferme de Bel Ebat
From April 21 to 23, 2022
Natchav
Dunkerque (59 - FR)
Le Bateau Feu, scène nationale
From April 27 to 30, 2022
Natchav
Dieppe (76 - FR)
DSN, Dieppe scène nationale
May 10, 2022
Natchav
Nîmes (30 - FR)
Théâtre de Nîmes Bernadette Lafont / Odéon
From May 18 to 20, 2022
Natchav
Saumur (49 - FR)
Théâtre Le Dôme
June 2, 2022
Natchav
Schaan (Liechtenstein)
The Tak
From June 22 to 23, 2022

2020 / 2021

Natchav
Saint-Michel-sur-Orge (91 - FR)
Espace Marcel Carné, with the cultural center Pablo Picasso of La Norville
From September 27 to 28, 2020
Natchav
Le Grand-Quevilly (76 - FR)
Théâtre Charles Dullin
Oct. 9, 2020
Natchav
Montbéliard (25 - FR)
MA Scène Nationale
From November 04 to 6, 2020
RESCHEDULED SHOW
Natchav
Château-Gontier (53 - FR)
Le Carré, scène nationale
From November 10 to 12, 2020
RESCHEDULED SHOW
Natchav
Gradignan (33 - FR)
Théâtre des Quatre Saisons
From November 22 to 23, 2020
RESCHEDULED SHOW
Natchav
Saint-Genis-Laval (69 - FR)
La Mouche
From December 10 to 11, 2020
RESCHEDULED SHOW
Natchav
Évry (91 - FR)
Théâtre Ephémère, scène nationale de l’Essonne
From January 07 to 8, 2021
RESCHEDULED SHOW
Natchav
Huningue (68 - FR)
Le Triangle, as part of the Festival Compli’Cité with Momix
Jan. 22, 2021
RESCHEDULED SHOW
Natchav
Luxembourg
Les Rotondes
From February 04 to 6, 2021
Natchav
Juvisy-sur-Orge (91 - FR)
Les Bords de Scènes, Espace Jean Lurçat
Feb. 12, 2021
RESCHEDULED SHOW
Natchav
Herblay (95 - FR)
Théâtre Roger Barat
From March 01 to 2, 2021
RESCHEDULED SHOW
Natchav
Cormeilles-en-Parisis (95)
Théâtre du Cormier
From March 05 to 6, 2021
RESCHEDULED SHOW
Natchav
Saumur (49 - FR)
Théâtre Le Dôme
March 12, 2021
RESCHEDULED SHOW
Natchav
Pantin (93 - FR)
Salle Jacques Brel - As part of the Biennale internationale des arts de la marionnette 2021
From May 07 to April 8, 2021
CANCELLED SHOW
Natchav
Jouy-le-Moutier (95 - FR)
Théâtre de Jouy
May 21, 2021
CANCELLED SHOW
schedule: Friday 21st at 2.30 pm & 8.30 pm
Natchav
Creil (60 - FR)
La Faïencerie, scène conventionnée
From June 16 to 18, 2021
schedule: Wednesday 16th at 8.30 pm - Thursday 17th at 10 am & 2.30 pm - Friday 18th at 10 am
Natchav
Lieusaint (77 - FR)
Théâtre-Sénart, scène nationale
From June 23 to 26, 2021
schedule: Wednesday 23rd at 3 pm - Thursday 24th at 10 am & 2.30 pm (school) - Friday 25th at 10 am & 2.30 pm (school) - Saturday 26th at 6 pm

2019 / 2020

Natchav
Dunkerque (59-FR)
End of residency performance / Théâtre La Licorne
Oct. 31, 2019
Natchav
Nevers (58 - FR)
Maison de la Culture de Nevers Agglomération (first)
From December 02 to 3, 2019
Natchav
Laval (53 - FR)
Le Théâtre, scène conventionnée de Laval
From December 10 to 11, 2019
Natchav
Dijon (21 - FR)
La Minoterie, scène conventionnée Art, enfance et jeunesse
Jan. 17, 2020
Natchav
Strasbourg (67 - FR)
TJP, CDN Strasbourg - Grand Est
From January 31 to Feb. 6, 2021
Natchav
Fosses (95 - FR)
Espace Germinal, with Théâtre Sarah Bernhardt of Goussainville
From February 24 to 25, 2020
Natchav
Garges-lès-Gonesse (95 - FR)
Espace Lino Ventura
Feb. 28, 2020
Natchav
Chalon-sur-Saône (71 - FR)
Espace des arts, scène nationale
From March 09 to 10, 2020
Natchav
Saint-Michel-sur-Orge (91 - FR)
Espace Marcel Carné, with centre culturel Pablo Picasso La Norville
From March 22 to 23, 2020
RESCHEDULED SHOW
Natchav
Jouy-le-Moutier (95 - FR)
Théâtre de Jouy
March 27, 2020
RESCHEDULED SHOW
Natchav
Herblay (95 - FR)
Théâtre Roger Barat
From April 02 to 3, 2020
RESCHEDULED SHOW
Natchav
Bourgoin-Jallieu (38 - FR)
Théâtre Jean Vilar, scène Rhône-Alpes, with le Vellein, scènes de la CAPI
From April 14 to 16, 2020
CANCELLED SHOW
Natchav
Le Grand-Quevilly (76 - FR)
Théâtre Charles Dullin
April 28, 2020
RESCHEDULED SHOW
Natchav
Noisiel (77 - FR)
La Ferme du Buisson, scène nationale de Marne-la-Vallée
From May 05 to 7, 2020
RESCHEDULED SHOW
Natchav
Guyancourt (78 - FR)
La Ferme de Bel-Ebat
From May 15 to 16, 2020
RESCHEDULED SHOW