A bet won

Vanessa Guimond

Wednesday, 12 July 2017 23:04

UPDATE
Wednesday, 12 July 2017 23:04

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The more recent creation of the montreal collective Les 7 doigts de la main is a real tour-de-force. Titled Vice & Virtue, this course is immersive with a duration of 3 hours you will see all the colors thanks to its original idea combining theatre, circus, projections and music. Here are the elements that, according to us, contribute to the success of this exercise of the most daring.

History

In the five tables presented by the troupe, the audience is invited to follow the characters that have marked the history of Montréal, mainly during the years 1930 to 1960, at which time the Red Light did vibrate some and shaking others. Among the most important, has the attorney-Pacific Plant, the “emcee” (master of ceremony) Texas Guinan (excellent !), the dancer burlesque Lili St Cyr (who will give not one, but two numbers of leaves and the facilitator Armand Monroe, a leading figure of the gay scene in the 50s and 60s. A beautiful place is also reserved for the feminists who fought for gender equality and women’s right to vote. You can bet that more viewers will be curious to learn more about the past of the city after this thrilling trip back in time.

Immersive

We had the impression of having set foot in a machine to travel in time, and this, upon our arrival at the Société des arts technologiques (SAT). On the ground floor, but also in the queue in front of the room, the characters that shape the show to mingle with the public and can even interact with him. The spectators are asked to wear their period dress for the occasion, a matter of adding a dose of realism to the experience. In addition, we have had the leisure to flow through the sets and see the acrobats very close, a rare privilege…

Acrobatics

The drama and the characters, it’s all well and good, but what about the stunts ? Well, they were blown away. The number of pole dancing which is performed on a four-poster bed by three acrobats (under the stares of a viewer installed in the bed) was sublime, as was the number of aerial hoop presented in a Saint Joseph’s oratory simulated thanks to the magic of the dome of the SAT and its projections. Among our favourites, we also count the number of battle in the house of game, physical and dynamic to wish, which put us in full view. Also include the demonstration of the chinese pole, presented in the structure of the Jacques-Cartier bridge, in the dome of the SAT. This number group, like many others, incidentally, is a success.

Live music

Most of the tables are accompanied by live music, courtesy of four musicians who have mostly given in to jazz and swing, during the evening. This add-on, far from being banal, contributes greatly to the immersive aspect of the show, focusing on the realism of the atmosphere of cabarets, including.

Emphasize the participation of the singer Betty Bonifassi, who, after having played the proprietress of brothels Anne-Labelle Beauchamps, gave us a few songs at the end of course.

What a wonderful way to end the evening, a number of cigar boxes as a bonus !

The verdict

The bet was risky for The 7 fingers of the hand, but thanks to its artisans versatile, and its creative genius, the company has managed to make us live an experience of more entertaining and informative. Of course, the show is long, but if you’re willing to follow, the artists will ensure that your evening is spun at the speed of lightning.

To see absolutely, at the SAT, until 6 August. Reserved for 18 years and over.