FROM OUR ARTISTIC DIRECTOR : THE ARTISTIC FRUITS OF MARSEILLE

This Saturday, we welcome Compagnie Accrorap to Bell Square for their first visit to Hounslow.

The company will be performing Prelude, a beautiful dance production rooted in hip-hop. Like most of their shows, the hip-hop comes with the precision and control of contemporary dance, especially in the way the dancers move together so perfectly. It’s set to intense, haunting music and takes hip- hop to an entirely new place.

Cie Accrorap began in 1989 when a group of circus students created a new collective driven by the energy of hip-hop, mixed with contemporary dance, circus and martial arts. One of these founders was Kader Attou who still leads the company to this day. His work has always been characterised by openness – to different artforms, to different locations and cultures, to exchanges, encounters and sharing.

In 2022, he moved the company to Marseille. Here, they work with other artists, offer a wide range of educational activities and have become part of the vibrant artistic life of Marseille. Marseille is a real hot-spot for outdoor arts. Cie Accrorap is the 5 th company from France that we have presented at Bell Square in the last 2 years – and it’s no surprise that they are the 3 rd from Marseilles. Regular Bell Square fans will remember Rara Woulib and their joyous procession around the town centre last summer, and Cie Galmae, who created an extraordinary experience about how we take part in protests.

But Marseille is home to a whole host of amazing outdoor theatre, dance and circus companies. Wherever I go to festivals, looking for future shows for Bell Square, the companies from Marseille are always the big draw. Whether it’s giant puppets, mechanical structures, their incredible energy or pounding music, they have a real connection with the urban environment, with the communities on the city’s streets.

So why are there so many world-leading artists in this buzzy, diverse city on the Southern French coast? Well, it’s because they get so much support there. In addition to government funding, the local cultural organisations support them and recognise the value of street theatre in this vibrant and culturally rich city. There are several street theatre festivals throughout the year, providing many opportunities for the artists to perform.

Most of these companies also work very collaboratively with local communities, strengthening the relationship between the artists and the public, and making street theatre a shared experience. Unsurprisingly, the interest and enthusiasm of the public then contributes to the growth and sustainability of outdoor arts in the city.

Marseilles truly believes in public space as a democratic place where art brings new perspectives to be discussed by all. Where encounters between all the city’s communities cultivate human value.

And where amazing artistic experiences are not confined to venues and institutions but happen on the streets for everyone.

It’s an inspiring place for outdoor performance. And Cie Accrorap is a perfect example of what is created there.

Come and see the artistic fruits of Marseilles for yourself on Saturday 17 June at Bell Square! The performance of Prelude is at 2.00 pm. It’s free, no need to book, and everybody’s welcome.

Look forward to seeing you there!