ON DIRAIT QUE LE SOLEIL

A choreographic, vocal, and musical creation for a “universal” dramaturgy

PREMIERES: May 4–6, 2026, at La rose des vents, National Stage of Lille Métropole.
Available for touring from May 2026.

“The world remains hidden until the moment I touch it.” (John Hull)

How can we share a dance with those who cannot see it?
What can words do to express movement?
Can the voice illuminate space?

On dirait que le soleil is a choreographic, vocal, and musical creation for three performers, including a blind dancer, placing sensory experience at the heart of the audience’s journey. It seeks to be accessible to everyone, whether sighted, visually impaired, blind, hearing, deaf, or hard of hearing.

By weaving together light, voice, dance, touch, scent, and poetry, On dirait que le soleil works to broaden the field of choreography, to explore unsuspected properties of our bodies, and to sharpen our perceptions beyond traditional norms.

It is a ritual that transforms the absence of sight into a new form of vision, and silence into light.

 

This creation is at the heart of cycle#2 PERCEVOIR, part of the FAIRE MONDE project.

 

Upcoming Research & Creation Residencies (Schedule in progress):

 

In creation at La Libre Usine in Nantes: explanation of the lighting plan by Juliette Romens to Odil Gerfaut.


ON DIRAIT QUE LE SOLEIL
Creation 2026

Cast

  • Concept and choreography Mylène Benoit
  • Interpretation Hugo Daubresse, Odil Gerfaut, Zoë De Sousa
  • Choreographic Assistant Alexandre Da Silva
  • Dramaturgy Céline Cartillier
  • Texts Céline Cartillier in collaboration with Hugo Daubresse, Odil Gerfaut, Zoë De Sousa
  • Music Nicolas Devos (Puce Moment / Cercueil)
  • Lighting design Juliette Romens
  • Computing and blinder effects management Xavier Boissarie et Tomek Jarolim, (ORBE)
  • Vocal direction Myriam Djemour
  • Technical direction Aurélie Manable
  • Costumes Coco Blanvillain
  • Accessibility and inclusion expertise Thomas Tajo - blind researcher & disability activist, founder of Vision Inclusive, echolocation specialist (Brussels)
  • Deaf visuel consultant Association DSDS (Défense et Soutien des Droits des Sourds)
  • Outside Eye Juliette Dalbavie
  • Administration, production, touring, development Naia Iratchet, Marie-Laure Atger, Marie Dubrez, Mariana Rocha, Laurent Massoni
 
  • Crédit photos Mylène Benoit & Le Phénix SN de Valenciennes
 
  • Production Contour Progressif
  • Coproduction : La rose des vents - Scène nationale de Lille Métropole - Villeneuve d’Ascq, le Phénix - Scène nationale de Valenciennes – Pôle Européen de création, Théâtre du Beauvaisis - Scène nationale de Beauvais, L’échangeur CDCN - Hauts-de-France, la Fabrique des possibles
  • Support : La Fondation E.C.ART Pomaret, F.R.I.D.A Fonds pour la Réussite et l'Inclusion dans les Arts, ABILITIS Fonds de Dotation au Service de l'Autonomie et de la Citoyenneté, les Lieux Culturels Pluridisciplinaires de la Ville de Lille, le Lieu Unique - Scène nationale de Nantes, le CNCA - Centre National pour la Création Adaptée à Morlaix, la SPEDIDAM, l'ADAMI, la Ville de Lille and l'AGEFIPH
  • Contour Progressif is financially supported by the Direction Regionale des Affaires Culturelles of Hauts-de-France and the Hauts-de-France Region.