Circus Troupe Serves Up Dance, Acrobatics, and Food
Montreal’s The 7 Fingers returns to Boston with theatrical feast
Cuisine & Confessions is staged by The 7 Fingers, the Montreal-based circus troupe, which includes Anna Kichtchenko (left) and Melvin Diggs. The show runs through August 7 at the Cutler Majestic Theatre. Photos by Alexandre-Galliez
Looking for a multisensory experience unlike any other? Head over to Emerson’s Cutler Majestic Theatre tonight for a performance of the latest show by the renowned Montreal modern circus troupe, Les 7 doigts de la main (The 7 Fingers), Cuisine & Confessions. The show, which runs through August 7, combines dazzling, tightly choreographed acrobatics and dance with an exploration of our relationship with food. The action-packed show, which sometimes involves the audience, received a rave review from the Boston Globe, which called it “thrilling.” Since its opening earlier this month, it’s proven a hit with foodies and circus lovers alike. Tonight’s performance begins at 7:30 p.m. and tickets run from $25 to $80.
Cuisine & Confessions is making its American premiere in Boston following runs in Montreal, Paris, Rome, and Moscow (it heads next to Switzerland) and draws parallels between the complex artistry involved in both acrobatics and cooking. The show, which is set in a large kitchen equipped with a functioning oven (banana bread bakes during each performance), celebrates the beauty and complexity of bodies moving on stage and the way that food is prepared to nourish those bodies. The nine performers hurtle through the air, contort their bodies into impressive shapes, and hang from silk tablecloths suspended from the ceiling, all while telling stories about how food has challenged, inspired, and influenced them. It is deeply personal and often funny.
Founded in 2002 as an offshoot of Cirque du Soleil, The 7 Fingers has achieved critical acclaim for blurring the lines between modern dance, acrobatics, theater, and circus arts. The company seeks to redefine the traditional circus by bringing a human, storytelling element to their shows. Cuisine & Confessions is the fourth show the troupe has performed in Boston under the guise of ArtsEmerson, which has earned a reputation for its often avant-garde programming and was named the Best Theater in Boston by Boston Magazine in 2015. The company also appeared in the American Repertory Theatre’s 2012 revival of Pippin, which went on to win four Tony Awards after moving to Broadway.
Cuisine & Confessions runs through August 7 at the Cutler Majestic Theatre, 219 Tremont St. Tonight’s performance is at 7:30 p.m. and runs approximately 85 minutes. Tickets range from $25 to $80 and can be purchased online or by calling 617-824-9400. Student, group, and senior discounts are available. The show is appropriate for all guests of all ages. More information about The 7 Fingers can be found here. Via public transportation, take any MBTA Green Line trolley to Boylston St.
Liz Vanderau can be reached at vanderau@bu.edu.
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