The lone "Melody" dances on the round red stage. The troop of "Rhythm" is drawn by the Melody's charisma. The brilliant choreography set to the meticulously constructed music of Ravel slowly builds up along a stretched crescendo to an inevitable climax until one cannot help having a shock and catharsis. Boléro is absolutely one of Béjart's masterpieces. In Japan, star dancers including Jorge Donn and Sylvie Guillem have danced it. This time, enjoy the legitimate performances by the Béjart Ballet Lausanne!

Photo: Marc Ducrest

Photo: LaureN Pasche

Piaf, it's primarily a voice, stupendous, omnipresent, immortal, that goes beyond time and boundaries. Which female dancer, which actress can embody Piaf?
She is without substance; she is only love, an adored presence and agonizing to the other. Crossing the mirrors of loneliness, she jumps into the other's arms, each time another, the same, always. Men- she discovered them, loved them, gave birth to them, sublimated them. Men are her strength, her joy, her eternity, created by her, they lived thanks to her, became all, eternally, Piaf.

Photo: GregoryBatardon

I imagined this ballet as a long blues ballad inspired by the work of the Swiss psychiatrist and essayist, Carl Gustav Jung: "Each man has a woman within him, and this feminine element is what I call the Anima".
One of my dancers, Kateryna Shalkina, gave me the inspiration of Audrey Hepburn's silhouette, and her voice, woven to Thierry Hochstätter's and jB Meier's original score, guided me throughout this project.

Photo: Ilia Chkolnik

Kyôdaï has been inspired by a short story of Jorge Luis Borges: L'intruse (The intruder). How this story evolved in a Japanese ambiance, I could not tell. My numerous tours in Japan, my readings and above all my dancers have nourished this piece. What is certain is that the violent story of this loving trio has always questioned me.

Photo: Francette Levieux