In a mesmerizing fusion of raw energy and poignant vulnerability, Jean-Pierre Perreault’s piece Nuit is a force that pays tribute to the choreographer’s lasting influence on the Canadian and international dance scenes.
Presented by Compagnie de la Citadelle under the guidance of Laurence Lemieux, the production unfolds on stage at Théâtre Maisonneuve until March 22nd , with a stellar cast of nine dancers delivering an awe-inspiring performance that captures the complexity of human emotion through movement.
Originally created in 1986, Nuit stands as one of Perreault’s most defining works, and its remount in 2025 is noteworthy. The dancers, clad in minimalist dark costumes, confront the relentless tensions of life—loneliness, confrontation, fragility—through their tireless, hypnotic pounding of the floor. The choreography is breathtaking, with the dancers’ every movement seeming to speak of exhaustion and endurance, creating a striking visual narrative of struggle and persistence.
The piece showcases the depth of Perreault’s artistic vision, where the boundaries between dance, set design, lighting, and music blur to create an all-encompassing sensory experience. The carefully orchestrated interplay of materials, masses, and configurations reflects the choreographer’s profound understanding of the interconnectedness of all artistic disciplines.
Compagnie de la Citadelle’s artistic director, Laurence Lemieux, who performed in Nuit in 2002, has breathed new life into this iconic work. Under her direction, the piece resonates with a renewed sense of urgency, honoring Perreault’s legacy while reminding audiences of the profound emotional impact that his work continues to have.
It is clear that the choreographer’s influence, even posthumously, remains a driving force in shaping the contemporary Canadian dance landscape.
Jean-Pierre Perreault
Jean-Pierre Perreault, who passed away in 2002, was a trailblazer who, alongside contemporaries such as Louise Lecavalier and Marie Chouinard, helped put Montreal on the map as a hub for cutting-edge contemporary dance. Nuit—one of his final masterpieces before his untimely death—captures his genius in its full scope, offering a powerful glimpse into his immense creative legacy.
As part of the remount, audiences had the opportunity to engage with the artists in post-show talks on Wednesday, March 19 and Friday, March 21. These discussions offered a rare insight into the process behind reviving such an iconic work and underscore the ongoing relevance of Perreault’s vision for future generations of dance artists.
NUIT : March 19-22, 2025
Théâtre Maisonneuve, Place des Arts
1 hour 20 minutes
To learn more about the show and DANSE DANSE please visit their official website :
https://www.dansedanse.ca/en/shows/compagnie-de-la-citadelle-nuit-jean-pierre-perreault
Upcoming performance by Danse Danse :
PEEPING TOM TRIPTYCH: APRIL 16. 17. 18. 19, 2025 / 8:00 PM
Concept and direction Gabriela Carrizo, Franck Chartier
-The lost room
-The hidden floor