Dancers reveal their dreams in 'HAPPY ISLAND'

Henrique Amoedo, artistic director of Dançando com a Diferença, told reporters that his initial idea was for La Ribot to create three solos, which would be performed by Joana, Sofía and Barbara. However, after meeting Madeira and the cast of the group, the choreographer felt that the richness of their characteristics justified that all, the 35 dancers, participated in the show. "I said that this was impossible for production, because it would be a show that we could hardly move, and the proposal came from the fact that all the people were integrated into the film by Raquel Freire," said Henrique Amoedo. La Ribot explored the particularities of each of the dancers because, as María João Pereira told reporters: "we do not have disabilities, we are here to praise our advantages". For example, this dancer emerges on the stage of the wheelchair, dressed like a snake and lying on the ground, trembling, the movements of her body "enlarged" by the feather hat on his head.

"María is able to move in a way that no one can, there is a specific movement that, no matter how much has been trained by a dancer to do the same thing, would be very difficult," said Henrique Amoedo, who added that La Ribot made use of the skills of each one and bring this to the scene. "The artistic director of Dançando com a Diferença explained that the show" has much of the will and desire of each of them ", which is reflected even in the most logistical part "They are co-creators. "The clothes, the way they appear, [everything] has to do with a union of each one's dream with what La Ribot imagined for each one," he said. One of the scenes in the sample shows, projected in the film by Raquel. Freire, testimonies of the dancers and their families about the dreams and desires they have for their life. "La Ribot appropriates the dream and the stories of each one and tells another story, but within the characteristic language of their work," said Henrique Amoedo. According to the artistic director, the program "touches subjects that are very taboo when it comes to the issue of disability, even if it is in the stage process," it is a challenge for all. "I hope it also leads the public to think that people with disabilities have desires, want and can speak for themselves, it is the biggest challenge in this show, "he said.

Happy Island shows what La Ribot most marked in Madeira, namely, the ancient forest of Fanal and the tunnels torn throughout the island. Telmo Ferreira, who was always a dancer in the group, had the challenge of seeing La Ribot in this production. "It was very challenging for me, because since I was eleven years old I have always been in all the dance shows, I have never been in this part of the backstage, with La Ribot I learned a lot," he emphasized. The show "Happy Island" premiered in September at the Grütli Performing Arts Production and Broadcasting Center in Geneva, Switzerland, which is part of the La Batiê Festival. He also performed in Madrid at Casa Escendida, integrating IDEM 2018 - International Festival of Performing Arts, which is now making its national debut in Viseu, where it will be presented on Friday and Saturday.

In: RTP Madeira