Betty Tchomanga

Betty Tchomanga surfaces from the depths of water, of movement and of voice in the body of a fantastical, feared figure.

Choreographer and performer Betty Tchomanga’s first solo is inspired by the figure of Mami Wata, a half-woman half-fish who appears in many African and afro-diasporic cultures. While she is admired by some, she is mostly considered a monster – not only because of how she looks, but also because of her seductive powers that deviate from traditional values and norms.

In Mascarades, Betty Tchomanga is a stranded mermaid that stares back defiantly at those who observe her. Her voice – sometimes low, sometimes high-pitched – reinforces the hybrid nature of the body we see on stage. The music, inspired by South African club culture, pulses. Her dance itself is a series of jumps, repeated and transformed. She jumps to exult, expel, endure, resist, reach, become, die – and to exist.

Credits

Creation and performance Betty Tchomanga Lighting design Eduardo Abdala Sound design Stéphane Monteiro Outside look Dalila Khatir and Emma Tricard Vocal consultant Dalila Khatir Production director Aoza - Marion Cachan Production Lola Gatt Support Endowment Fund of Quartz, national scene of Brest Partners Le Pacifique - CDCN of Grenoble, L'Atelier de Paris CDCN, La Gare - Fabrique des Arts en mouvement in Relecq-Kerhuon, Festival La Bécquée - Un soir à l'Ouest, le Cabaret Vauban - Brest Sponsor SARL SICC Saint-André-de-Cubzac Special thanks to Marlene Monteiro Freitas, Gaël Sesboüé and Vincent Blouch

This project received support for creation from the City of Brest and the Ministry of Culture - DRAC of Brittany.
The Lola Gatt association is supported by the Brittany region.