Parts+Labour_Danse

Parts+Labour_Danse, a fast-emerging presence on the international contemporary dance scene, is driven by the innovative collaboration of co-choreographers David Albert-Toth and Emily Gualtieri. This duo is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of co-creation in dance. They present two groundbreaking works, Efer and À bout de bras, which delve deep into visceral human experiences while defying artistic norms. These touring pieces intricately blend themes of grief, desire, vulnerability, and strength through an interdisciplinary approach that fuses dance, text, and magic.

Parts+Labour_Danse will begin a new creation in January 2024, premiering in spring 2026.

Co-production and premiere by Agora de la danse in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Parts+Labour_Danse is represented by international agent Sarah Rogers.

Efer

Co-produced and presented by Danse Danse (2021) and La Rotonde (2023)

“Efer immerses the audience in a world of rare beauty.”

7 performers

Efer serves as a contemporary ritual, urging viewers to confront the enigmatic nature of existence. Choreographed by David Albert-Toth and Emily Gualtieri, the work captivates with its intertwining of dance, text, and magic, as it explores themes of loss, community, and the transformative potency of grief.

Winner of the Rideau Prize at the Parcours Danse 2021 biennial, Efer is an ode to the unknown, captured in the Hebrew term efer, meaning ashes. Seven performers embody the in-between space, transcending isolation, despair, resilience, and humour. The choreography delves into the dual nature of grief—connecting isolation and community, disorientation and resilience. The choreographers' personal experiences of grief and the pandemic's influence infuse the work with poignant depth, creating a visceral meditation on life's transient beauty.

Despite being a work of scale, Efer's eco-conscious approach allows it to tour lightly, minimizing its environmental footprint while on the road.

Upcoming tour dates in 2024-25

À bout de bras

Co-produced and presented by Agora de la danse (2022)

“À bout de bras delights with its level of virtuosity. A jewel of the performing arts.”

1 performer

À bout de bras features David Albert-Toth's solo journey, dissecting our contemporary desires and the tension between solitude and the fear of loneliness. Co-choreographed and directed by Emily Gualtieri, the interdisciplinary work seamlessly blends dance, text, and magic, presenting a multidimensional exploration inspired by Tantalus—an emblem of insatiable desires.

David, dancer and magician, masterfully interweaves dance and theatre in this solo, exploiting his singular, writhing physicality and charm. With wit and vulnerability, he embodies a character grappling with primal desires, transitioning seamlessly between dance, theatre, and magic. The choreographers' artistry spotlights the complexity of modern human experiences, emphasizing the intricate nature of desires and their consequences.

This interdisciplinary journey is further enriched by the inclusion of the cinematographic pendulum At Arm’s Length, a critically acclaimed film that was recently part of the official selection at the renowned FIFA international film festival.

Upcoming tour dates in 2023-24