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SLAP STICKS

PREMIERE
[drums]

With SLAP-STICKS, BL!NDMAN [drums] brings compositions by a new generation of composers to young audiences in a playful and accessible way.

SLAP-STICKS pops into the glory years of comic silent film and animation with master klutz Buster Keaton and KOKO the clown, the roguish and touching older brother of Betty Boop and Popeye.

In the early 20th century, they had to make do without text or soundtrack in the film world. The word ‘slapstick’ therefore comes from the stroke (slap) with a wooden stick (stick) to enhance the effect of some madness in the film. BL!NDMAN [drums] obviously goes a whole lot further and will bring the images even more to life with his spectacular array of percussion instruments.

Especially for this production, several young international composers have written new compositions for percussion solos and electronics, which BL!NDMAN [drums] will perform live at the screening of the films. The four solos were created in Paris in collaboration with IRCAM, the world-renowned centre for electro- acoustic music. They are complemented by a grande finale by the full percussion quartet.

Eric Sleichim: artistic direction

BL!NDMAN [drums]
Hannes Nieuwlaet: percussion
Yves Goemaere: percussion
Ward De Ketelaere: percussion
Gideon Van Canneyt: percussion

Creations by trainee composers
Krõõt-Kärt Kaev
Anne Castex
Natalia Laguens
Ji Young Lee
Mario Moya Sánchez
Ján Števuliak

The SLAP STICKS programme created as part of the Fête de la Musique
As part of Parliament of Angels 2024

Produced by Ircam-Centre Pompidou:
Martin Matalon: artistic director
Serge Lemouton: Ircam pedagogical support
João Svidzinski: Ircam pedagogical support

Special thanks to FPA CLASSICS – (Lobster Films Collection)
Special thanks to Serge Bromberg

With the support of the ULYSSES network, subsidised by the European Union’s Creative Europe programme

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Programme

Buster Keaton: The Cook
Dave & Max Fleischer: Out of the inkwell: Bubbles
Dave & Max Fleischer: Out of the inkwell: Invisible Ink
Dave & Max Fleischer: Out of the inkwell: a Trip to Mars

Agenda

2025
20 May
CC De Abdij (première)
Geraardsbergen (BE)