

Puff explores the concept of “disguise” as a recurring element in dances of the African diaspora—an element that transmits silenced cultures by concealing techniques, messages, traditions, or ancestral knowledge. The work explores the development of footwork techniques such as extremely fast footwork and the isolation of body parts, which create illusions and suggest that something is being deliberately hidden from view. Puff—a light breath—also means in Portuguese something that vanishes as if by magic.
The flow of Afro-diasporic dances is passed down through community-based rather than academic means, often blending dance with cultural customs rather than focusing solely on technique. This non-linear, embodied transmission poses a challenge for outsiders seeking to learn it and can be seen as a form of resistance against European dominance and the erasure of other cultures.
This solo performance marks a continuation of the long-standing collaboration between Alice Ripoll and Hiltinho Fantástico, who have been working together for the past seven years within the SUAVE and REC dance companies. Both collectives develop a hybrid language that merges contemporary dance with Brazilian urban forms. The two artists have collaborated in acclaimed works such as Cria, Lavagem, aCORdo, and Zona Franca, which have toured major festivals and theaters around the world.
Direction: Alice Ripoll
Creation and performance: Hiltinho Fantástico
Assistant direction: Alan Ferreira and Thais Peixoto
Light designer: Tomás Ribas
Costume and scenography: Alice Ripoll and Thais Peixoto
Tour manager: Joana D’Aguiar
Production assistant: Isabela Peixoto and Thais Peixoto
Original soundtrack: Mbé
Coproduction: Rotterdam Theater
With the support of Festival Actoral and Câmbio
Diffusion: ART HAPPENS


| Date | Performance | City Country | Organisation/Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25.09.2025 | Puff (World premiere) | Marseille (fr) | Actoral |
| 24.09.2025 | Puff (World premiere) | Marseille (fr) | Actoral |
| 14.09.2025 | Puff (15 mins excerpt) | Rotterdam (nl) | Theater Rotterdam/TRACK 2025 |
| 13.09.2025 | Puff (15 mins excerpt) | Rotterdam (nl) | Theater Rotterdam/TRACK 2025 |
| 12.09.2025 | Puff (15 mins excerpt) | Rotterdam (nl) | Theater Rotterdam/TRACK 2025 |
| 11.09.2025 | Puff (15 mins excerpt) | Rotterdam (nl) | Theater Rotterdam/TRACK 2025 |
| 24.08.2025 | Puff | Edinburgh (gb) | Edinburgh Fringe X Dance Base |
| 23.08.2025 | Puff | Edinburgh (gb) | Edinburgh Fringe X Dance Base |
| 22.08.2025 | Puff | Edinburgh (gb) | Edinburgh Fringe X Dance Base |
| 21.08.2025 | Puff | Edinburgh (gb) | Edinburgh Fringe X Dance Base |
| 20.08.2025 | Puff | Edinburgh (gb) | Edinburgh Fringe X Dance Base |
| 19.08.2025 | Puff | Edinburgh (gb) | Edinburgh Fringe X Dance Base |








