"Simon Says"Emmanuelle Vo-Dinh

Between obedience and alienation, let the game begin!

Le French May Arts Festival & Unlock Dancing Plaza present Emmanuelle Vo-Dinh’s new piece Simon says. Inspired by her fruitful exchange with four Hong Kong based dancers in 2015, Vo-Dinh wanted to continue working with them to develop a piece of original choreography.

The premise was simple, let’s combine two childhood games: Simon says and the electronic parlour game Simon with its four coloured buttons where players have to recreate sequences associating sounds and colours. What they both have in common is the risk-taking, self-control, concentration, adrenaline rush… as well as the fact that both happen in a space of obedience and alienation.
With this basic idea of two games with four players, dancers from Hong Kong – who Emmanuelle Vo-Dinh met during a workshop there – travelled to Le Havre to continue working with her. Improvising, making and breaking rules as they went along, reflecting on the results, then letting go – a new challenge for the four more used to learning and assimilating choreographed steps – Simon says grew out of the artistic interface between these two approaches, blending efficiency, mastery, a love of games, and ever-reformulating situations. Between submission and rebellion, let the game begin!

Choreographer, Concept & Set Designer: Emmanuelle Vo-Dinh
Artistic Co-ordinator: Ong Yong-lock
Interpreters: Joseph Lee, Carman Li, Tracy Wong, James Yau
Music: David Monceau, Emmanuelle Vo-Dinh
Sound Co-ordinator: Michael Lo
Lighting Designer: Françoise Michel
Assistant Lighting Designer & Stage Manager: Lai Tze-yu
Production Manager: Jason Ma
Programme Co-ordinator: Michael Li

Co-presentation: Le French May Arts Festival, Unlock Dancing Plaza
Co-production: Unlock Dancing Plaza; Le Phare, National Choreographic Center of Le Havre Normandy
Support: Consulate General of France in Hong Kong & Macau, Institut français (Paris)
Creation and Touring Support: West Kowloon Cultural District Authority
Acknowledgement: Leisure and Cultural Services Department

The running time of the performance is approximately 1 hour without intermission.

Tickets available NOW at all URBTIX outlets. Half-priced tickets, group booking, package booking & special discounts available, please refer to URBTIX event website for discount details.

Unlock Dancing Plaza is financially supported by the HKADC