How To Be Us

A scathing duet in which the dancers combine meticulously choreographed movements with their own improvisation to question how we find personal freedom in such a regulated world.

Lucy Guerin’s second program presented at Chaillot – Théâtre Nationale de la Danse, How To Be Us is a magnificent dance offering which the choreographer shares with Lilian Steiner and Samantha Hines. In Lucy Guerin’s eyes, the two performers use improvisation techniques in a spirit of reciprocity and generosity. How To Be Us is a women’s duet, integrating improvised movements devised by each performer with strict patterns and formal structures directed by Lucy Guerin. It “explores questions of liberty, both individual and communal, in the context of a world torn apart by conflicting ideas of freedom.” Synchronization of movements, one of the biggest forces at play in Guerin’s work, is coupled with heightened sensitivity. Lucy Guerin is as comfortable creating for actors as she is for dance duets, such as How to Be Us, daring perpetual movement in her own way.  

Text: © Philippe Noisette

Photo: © Gregory Lorenzutti