On stage

Ribal & the Shadow of the Ancestors

Musical tale in the land of the Bafia

By Simon Nwambeben and Henri Mariel

Creation young audience (6 / 12 years old)

This show is offered in two versions to young audiences (and families) from 6 years old:

• A musical tale for 4 performers, requiring adapted technical conditions (including concert conditions, light driving and video projection).

• A musical reading for 2 performers (reading and voice / guitar / percussion) adapted for a reduced stage space, without technique and for a public gauge suitable for acoustic listening (schools, media libraries, outdoor site).

"Ribal et l'ombre des ancêtres" is a text by Henri Mariel, based on the stories "Contes et traditions Bafia" collected by Simon Nwambeben.

Compositions: Simon Nwambeben

Director: Henri Mariel - www.theatre-entracte.fr

Illustrations Patrick Mignon - c.comchat.over-blog.com:

Performers

Simon Nwambeben (Ribal) – vocals, guitar, percussion, dances

Eva Paquereau (The narrator): vocal

Magali Zsigmond (The Lion, The Old Lady): harp, vocal

Julie Mellaert (La tortue) : violin, vocal

Technical team

Laurent Pinet: sound management

Fabrice Peduzzi: light control room

Synopsis

There is a fundamental learning in the world of Bafia, country of Ribal, it is that of dance. And every year, on the long white chalk path, the one that borders the wasteland of the village, we organize a big dance competition. For all, it’s for sure, Ribal is the most gifted dancer of his generation. And yet, he never won the event. It must be said that the competition is difficult because it is not enough to be agile, flexible, to have full control of your body. No, in the Bafia world, you also have to know how to match your shadow. Yes, its shadow.

Know that the shadow in the world of Ribal is not only conceived as the reflection of a body. No, for those who know how to see beyond appearances, the chiseled outline or not, the deep or clear density of a shadow, its general shape, also say a lot about the person to whom it belongs. Hence the importance it is given to the country of Ribal. During the dance test which takes place at the hour when the sun inclines its rays at the oblique of the earth, there is always a moment when, on the path of white chalk, in the space occupied by the dancer, his shadow invites himself to dance. This is the improvised and magical moment of the meeting between the dancer and his double that all spectators are waiting for. The way "these two" go together makes it possible to win or lose the event. Let's face it, Ribal’s shadow is not at the level of skill of his dancer. The separation of the two is inevitable. From there, begins for the young boy an initiatory journey in the savannah in search of a shadow that is in harmony with him.

In search of this shadow, it will be in turn the shadow of a lion, an elephant and a butterfly. Finally, saving a young turtle from certain death, he will secure the future of his people.

Credit

This creation benefits from the support of the distribution of the General Council 44 for the diffusers of Loire-Atlantique.

Mandatory information :

Ribal & the shadow of the ancestors, a 2013 Dékalage production with the support of the Loire-Atlantique General Council, the Pays de la Loire Regional Council, the cities of Rouans (Théâtre Coeur en Scène) and Nantes (network of factories) .

Photos: © Ronan de Mary de Longueville

Eloi Brignaudy: video control room