Murmuration

Le Patin Libre Montreal
  • Choreography Le Patin Libre (Alexandre Hamel, Pascale Jodoin, Samory Ba)

Former championship figure skaters turned movement innovators, Le Patin Libre transform the traditional hockey rink into a dramatic stage for contemporary movement.  Blending speed, precision, and intricate choreography, their first two shows, Vertical Influences and Threshold, have toured the world to great acclaim.

For their next project, the Montreal-based collective brings together a much larger group of 15 skaters to break new choreographic ground.  Drawing inspiration from “flocking”, the complex movements exhibited by large groups of birds and fish, Murmuration explores what motivates creatures when they come together and separate at great speed. 

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Company

Le Patin Libre was founded in 2005 by Alexandre Hamel, a former professional figure skater and fine arts university student. From early performances presented on frozen ponds, Le Patin Libre has evolved into an acclaimed contemporary dance company that counts international presenters such as UK’s Dance Umbrella and France’s Théâtre de la Ville as champions for this new performing art form.

Creative team

  • Choreography Le Patin Libre (Alexandre Hamel, Pascale Jodoin, Samory Ba)
  • Music Jasmin Boivin and Philippe Le Bon
  • Lighting Yoann Tivoli
  • Costumes Charlyne Guay and Pascale Jodoin
  • Artistic advisors Yaron Lifschitz with Oktawia Ścibior, David Billiau, Kristýna Mikulášová, Taylor Dilley, Sophie Blomqwist, Garrett Kling, Jennifer Edwards, Isaac Lindy, Maude Poulin, Jacqueline Benson, Haley Alcock, Imogen Croft, Samory Ba, Pascale Jodoin, Alexandre Hamel

National Creation Fund investment

The National Creation Fund’s investment of $160,000 made it possible for Le Patin Libre to bring together its expanded cast of skaters for several additional workshops dedicated to exploring new techniques and choreography.

Credits

Special partners:  Department of Canadian Heritage and the Government of Quebec.

Co-producers:  CanDanse Creation Fund/ Danse Danse, National Arts Centre, Dance House, Fall for Dance North in collaboration with TO Live, la Rotonde, Théâtre de la Ville de Paris Support Conseil des arts du Canada, Council of Arts and Letters of Quebec, Council of the Arts of Montreal, Dance North Scotland, Patinoire Le Dôme (Laon, France), Patinoire Le Blizz (Rennes, France), City of Baie-Saint-Paul

Developed with support from the National Arts Centre’s National Creation Fund.

Past performances