Bells and Spells
conceived and directed by: Victoria Thierrée Chaplin
with: Aurélia Thierrée
and Jaime Martinez
sets and costumes design: Victoria Thierrée Chaplin
choreography: Armando Santin, Victoria Thierrée Chaplin
collaborator to the light designer: Fiammetta Baldiserri, Fabio Bozzetta
light operator: Nick Burge
collaborator to the sound designer: Dom Bouffard
sound engineer: Christian Leemans
stagehand: Gerd Walter, Monika Schwarzl, Jonathan Herblay
props and costumes: Monika Schwarzl
technical director: Gerd Walter
tour manager: Virginia Forlani
duration: 70’
premiere: Spoleto Festival dei 2Mondi, 2018
production: Encore Un Tour
co-production: Théâtre les Célestins Lyon, Théâtre Atelier Carouge Genève, Change Performing Arts Milano
special thanks to: Aurélia Thierrée, Sara Driver, Prof. Aron Goldhirsch, Prof. Paolo Veronesi, Nicoletta Braschi
In a single act made of a succession of scenes, Aurélia plays an incurable kleptomaniac woman who suddenly finds herself under the influence of the objects she has “borrowed”. Improbable mechanisms, strange encounters, mad music boxes punctuate her journey in this unpredictable theatrical play. The rhythm is peculiar and incessant and transports us into a succession of “everyday life” scenes where Aurélia collects objects that don’t belong to her, bringing the audience inside a world where everything is possible. Elegant and ethereal, Aurélia opens the door of her restless and poetic imagination. With the performer and dancer Jaime Martinez, the multifaceted artist guides you through unknown territories where magic, surrealism and humor are the norm and where she suddenly finds herself at the mercy of the objects she tries to seize. Seats and tables slide and move independently, walls come alive, common objects transform into strange animal, a forest of coat hangers turn into a dragon. Strangeness meets wonder and illusion.
Let me introduce you to the most beautiful show of the month, of the year, of the decade, and possibly of the century! Rare are the shows that convince poetry in such infectious and spell bound way. Spell cast? A true gem.
© L' Express
“Bells and Spells” is a poem about a wound and a rebellion. Its beauty is to convert them into light. Aurélia Thierrée is a thief of fire. All the rest, is pure speculation. Aurélia’s mystery! A work conceived, sewn, dreamed by her mother Victoria Thierrée Chaplin leaves you agape, for this show opens wide the doors of psyche.
© Le Temps
“Bells and Spells” is carried along by an air of surreal humor & unpredictability, fulfilling the poetic mischief implied by the title.
© The Times
Pinch yourself: Aurelia Thierrée perfects the art of the steal on stage.
© The Guardian
