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Eonnagata
This world premiere bringing together three extraordinary artists all at the top of their trees - dancer Sylvie Guillem, theatre actor/director Robert Lepage and dancer/ choreographer Russell Maliphant - couldn’t fail to impress.
It is built around the life of 18th century diplomat, soldier and spy Charles de Beaumont, Chevalier d’Eon, one of the first people to use the disguise of cross-dressing on his missions.
Its theme of ambiguous gender blends perfectly with Onnagata, the Japanese theatre technique where men are trained to portray only women in a highly stylised way, and is as much theatre as dance, using spoken word in vignettes of events from Eon’s life.
Under Michael Hulls’ innovative and graphic lighting, and costumed by fashion designer Alexander McQueen, it is exquisite to watch. His muted palette of chic unisex bodysuits, tunics, pleated skirts, crinolines and flowing coats is broken only by one extravagant red creation.
Jean-Sebastien Cote provides an atmospheric soundscape including drums, piano, harpsichord and strings.
But don’t expect Guillem’s signature fireworks; the choreography has a dreamlike, meditative quality and is often at slow-motion pace.
People are used to seeing her breathtaking duets with Maliphant - here she drapes her body over his as they gently entwine, but Lepage also turns out to be a nifty mover. They all slide playfully on tabletops and create spectacular effects using one with a mirrored surface.
Constantly surprising, Eonnagata is a caress rather than a knock-out blow. It is pure artistry and gives new meaning to the term moving pictures.
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