Vertical

Watch Le Patin Libre’s award-winning production Vertical, filmed at Alexandra Palace ice rink.

Vertical was first broadcast in 2018 on BBC Two as part of a programme presented by Darcey Bussell on New Dance.

Five strong troupe Le Patin Libre use the ice in daring and dazzling ways to present a completely new perspective in 20-minute film Vertical. Produced by Dance Umbrella and commissioned by The Space, this film brings us dangerously up close to the action, capturing the performers slashing and slicing the ice at top speed in one half of their award-winning double-bill Vertical Influences.

The show received rave reviews when it opened at Alexandra Palace as part of Dance Umbrella Festival 2014, winning a Total Theatre Award and a Critics’ Circle nomination in 2015 before returning to London in 2016 where it played to sold-out audiences at Somerset House. The hit show has now been seen by audiences all over the world from Melbourne to Montpellier.

Founded by Alexandre Hamel in 2005, Le Patin Libre break the mould by challenging the conventions of traditional figure-skating through their experimental and at times nonchalant style, which draws influences from theatre, urban dance, and tap. From humble beginnings creating routines on the frozen ponds and canals of their hometown Montréal, their witty, inspired and creative performances have gone on to win fans around the globe.

Performed at Dance Umbrella in 2014 (Alexandra Palace) & 2016 (Somerset House)
First broadcast on 27 January 2018 on BBC Two

A Dance Umbrella / Proudfoot Ltd Production commissioned by The Space
Filmed at Alexandra Palace Ice Rink, London
© Dance Umbrella MMXVII

“One of those rare shows I could willingly have sat through all over again.”

★★★★★ The Guardian (2015)

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Creative team and performers +

Choreographed and performed by
ALEXANDRE HAMEL, PASCALE JODOIN, SAMORY BA, TAYLOR DILLEY, JASMIN BOIVIN
Artistic direction
ALEXANDRE HAMEL
Technical Director
DAVID BABIN
Original Dramaturgy
RUTH LITTLE
Lighting
LUCY CARTER
Composer
JASMIN BOIVIN
Camera
MARC ROVIRA ALEX FOURACRE
Sound
TIM WORTH, ANDREW GRIFFITHS, MICHAEL O’DONOGHUE

Dubbing Mixer
SIMON COUZENS
Film Editor
BEN MILLNER
Assistant Producer
MARION MAROT
Production Manager
GEMMA CHAPMAN
Associate Producer
JOHN DENTON
Producers
ANU GIRI, SIMON RICHARDSON
Director
EDDIE FROST
Executive Producers
EMMA GLADSTONE, MICHAEL PROUDFOOT

Press +

“One of those rare shows I could willingly have sat through all over again”
★★★★★ The Guardian (2015)

“You watch, dazzled, as the five-strong collective compete against each other, flirting, mock-fighting, dragging skates backwards, seemingly against gravity”
★★★★ Evening Standard (2015)

“You feel it in your own body when watching these skaters up close, and it’s absolutely exhilarating.”
★★★★★ Edinburgh Festival/The List (2015)

“Watching Le Patin Libre is like dreaming about flying – it is a liberating, exhilarating, breath taking experience. This quintet of former professional figure skaters have [created] a new kind of ice dance.”
★★★★ The Stage (2016)