May B

A 45-year soul-stirring legend of finding tenderness within the absurd and the lonely

Choreographed by French choreographic legend Maguy Marin, May B has stood as a landmark of contemporary dance since its 1981 premiere, built upon the foundation of Samuel Beckett’s writing and backed by his explicit endorsement.

Covered in white clay and shuffling with unsteadiness, the dancers move like wandering souls, replacing spoken dialogue with hushed murmurs and rhythmic groans. They drift between the real and the surreal through a world of the absurd and grotesque. By stripping away conventional limits of movement and speech, Marin turns these tragicomic figures into raw portraits of human anxiety – uncovering our shared vulnerability with quiet tenderness.

Widely considered one of the greatest dance masterpieces of the twentieth century, May B has captivated audiences across 40 countries with over 800 performances worldwide. Four decades after its debut, its soul-stirring power remains as potent as ever. Striking directly at the core of human existence in a desolate world, the piece invites us to contemplate a deep, underlying solitude – and the inextinguishable warmth that endures beneath it.

Maguy MARIN

Maguy Marin is one of France’s most influential contemporary choreographers and a trailblazing pioneer of the New French Dance movement.

Following an early performance career rooted in France and Brussels, Marin founded her dance company in 1978, which was later renamed Compagnie Maguy Marin in 1984.

Her work shatters traditional choreographic boundaries by seamlessly integrating theatre, sound, and visual arts, shifting the artistic focus from pure physical technique to a profound investigation of the human condition. Driven by a sharp contemporary vision and deep social commitment, her creations respond dynamically to cultural and societal shifts, continuously redefining the public’s perception of dance.

Widely celebrated across the globe, Marin is honoured as a towering figure in contemporary art. In addition to widespread acclaim in France, she is one of the rare non-American recipients of the prestigious ‘Samuel H. Scripps / American Dance Festival Award for Lifetime Achievement’. Her major international honours also include the ‘Bessie Award’ and the ‘Golden Lion Award for Lifetime Achievement in Dance’ at the 2016 Venice Biennale.

Supporting Organisation

Co-production: Compagnie Maguy Marin, Maison des Arts et de la Culture de Crétei

La Compagnie Maguy Marin is subsidised by le Ministère de la Culture – DRAC Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and la Ville de Lyon, and receives financial support from L’Institut Français for projects abroad. The company is in permanent residence at RAMDAM, UN CENTRE D’ ART.

Approximately 1 hour.

Latecomers or re-admission audiences will not be admitted until a suitable break of the performance.

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