August 30, 2017 | Theatre, Notes From Leadership,

Welcoming The 7 Fingers Back to Boston

 

Reversible is the fifth title to appear in ArtsEmerson’s seasons from The 7 Fingers (or, Les 7 doigts, as they are known in their home city of Montreal). We always look forward to their return. This is a collaboration that fully expresses the mission and vision of ArtsEmerson. We imagine a thriving world, powered by empathy, ignited by art. We aim to contribute to the emergence of that vision by putting the world on stage and, through these experiences of the world’s diversity, to foster, among our audience, a spirit of connection across our differences.

Each visit by The 7 Fingers tells this story for us beautifully. Their performers come from many different countries, speak many different languages and have trained in many different skills. Out of these differences, a seamless ensemble is born. Each artist is deeply dependent upon, and connected to, the others on stage. And in this connection, they soar. If at any point any one of them forgets their connectedness, they put every other performer on stage at grave risk. By committing to their total reliance on each other they all thrive. And, for these few moments, we in the audience can feel the exhilarating sense of possibility true connection ignites. Can we carry that with us back out into the world?

The 7 Fingers can, and do. Reversible was created in response to a tragic moment of violent disconnection. They were performing nearby in Paris when terrorists attacked the Bataclan Theatre in November 2015. Determined to return to Paris and produce a long run at the Bataclan to reclaim that theatre for the people of Paris while rejecting the premise of a divided world, Reversible opened there in early 2017; it was the first show to present a complete run there since the attack, running for a full month. A grateful city turned out in force. This engagement at The Cutler Majestic marks the first U.S. performance for the show. It arrives at a time of urgency in our own nation. And it kicks off a full season at ArtsEmerson of diverse performances we hope connects us to our own histories and to each other. We would love to see you often over the coming months. But for the moment, let these artists ignite, in you, a sense of what it feels like to strive, and thrive, together.

• David Dower, Co-Artistic Director

 

 

Reversible

SEP 6  – 24 at The Emerson Paramount Theatre

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