Interview: Mathieu Geffre, ‘What Songs May Do’

Ahead of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024, we’re chatting with a range of creatives who will be heading to the city over August to find out more about their shows. Today we’re chatting with RENDEZ-VOUS DANCE’s Artistic Director Mathieu Gefre about What Songs May Do.

Can you tell us a bit about you and your career so far..

My name is Mathieu Geffré and I am Artistic Director of the dance company, RENDEZ-VOUS DANCE.  I studied dance at the Paris Conservatoire, and after graduation I performed as a dancer for about 12 years with some great companies including the Dutch companies Dansgroep Amsterdam, and Noord Nederlandse Dans, National Dance Company Wales and a few more.  I have worked with lots of choreographers including Christopher Bruce (formerly of Rambert Dance), Didy Veldman and her company Humanoove, and the brilliant French choreographer Angelin Preljocaj.  About three years ago I decided to form my own company, Rendez-Vous Dance, to create honest and thought-provoking works designed to engage and entertain a really wide audience.  We’ve been touring our show ‘What Songs May Do…’ over the last year or so and we’ve been nominated for – and won! – a few nice theatre and dance awards.  With our current touring show, ‘Monocle’, and ‘What Songs May Do…’ I aim to design the work so it finds universal resonance.

What is your show about:

‘What Songs May Do…’ examines and exposes the fractured relationship of a once romantic couple as they delve into their past in an attempt to rebuild their future together.  Through Nina Simone’s music – which we use throughout the piece – ‘What Songs May Do…’ shines a light on our deep-rooted connection to memories through music and proposes the power of what songs may (actually) do.  It’s danced by Oliver Chapman and Paolo Pisarra.  

What was the inspiration for ‘WHAT SONGS MAY DO…’ and what’s the development process been to get to this stage?

Reflecting on my 15-year career as a dancer I realised that as a gay man I had never had the opportunity of performing what was, for me, authentic love on stage.  Growing up as a queer teenage boy in the 1990s, I lacked role models who made me feel seen and understood and when I was dancing professionally, the lack of diversity within choreographic narratives was also under-represented.   I wanted to create space for exploring the traditional form of the love duet through the most authentic lens for me as a dance-maker, one that reflects my queer perspective.  The relationship featured in ‘What Songs May Do…’ is driven by the power and poignant melodies of Nina Simone.  Her music, rich with passion and soul, inspired me to create a dance piece that delves into the deep-rooted connections to memories and emotions.

The DEVELOPMENT:  It began as a 12-minute duet while I was still dancing with the National Dance Company Wales.  As a short dance piece it was presented on various stages as part of platforms for early career makers, garnering significant attention along the way.  It even received the 3rd Prize for Choreography at the Copenhagen International Choreography Competition!  We managed to get enough support to expand the piece into a full-length (approximately one hour) production.

Then came COVID!  The pandemic constraints added an interesting dimension to the creative process.  Navigating space under those conditions became a fascinating way to explore the fluctuations of attraction between two performers.  A year later we managed to tour the work and continued refining the intentions of each movement while sharpening the performers’ freedom of choice.

What made you want to take ‘WHAT SONGS MAY DO…’ to the Fringe?

We want to share this heartfelt and inclusive dance piece with new audiences, celebrating love in all its diversity. The Fringe is a vibrant celebration of artistic diversity, and we look forward to being inspired by the performances and talents showcased there. ‘WHAT SONGS MAY DO…’ is not just a performance; it's a testament to our commitment to LGBTQIA+ narratives and the emotional depth of dance.

Apart from seeing ‘WHAT SONGS MAY DO…’ what’s your top tip for anybody heading for Edinburgh this summer?

My top tip would be to see as many shows as you possibly can – whether it’s dance, music, comedy, theatre or improve! 

Why should people book ‘WHAT SONGS MAY DO…’?

It’s a universal story and I think anyone who comes to see the show will be able to relate to its core in one way or another.  And who doesn’t love Nina Simone’s music!

When and where can people see ‘WHAT SONGS MAY DO…’?

We’re performing at Dance Base in Edinburgh from August 6th to August 11th at 7pm.