CLAUDEL — FRANCE


the AVIGNON FESTIVAL LE OFF july 2019
l'Athénée Théâtre Louis–Jouvet Paris 2018


Swan Demarsan & Célia Catalifo

Swan Demarsan & Célia Catalifo

Swan Demarsan & Célia Catalifo

Swan Demarsan & Célia Catalifo

CLAUDEL

Set in 1880s Paris CLAUDEL is a play combining dance, music and narrative. Camille Claudel is a rebellious young sculptor who goes to study and work for the famous Auguste Rodin. A romantic relationship ensues which causes her family great embarrassment. Rodin has a wife and a child. Camille garners further attention by becoming a significant sculptor. She is unconventional, highly talented and much admired. Her teacher–lover Rodin encourages her in her ambitions. Her family grow overwhelmed and retaliate by having her committed to a mental institution.

The play uses dance to breathe life into the sculptural forms that we know so well, animating the art of Rodin and Claudel. This haunting drama of tragedy and aesthetics is a triumph of the human spirit over adversity.

CLAUDEL directed by Wendy Beckett with choreography by Meryl Tankard premiered in March 2018 at the historic Athénée Theatre in Paris, France.

CAST 3  women • 3 men • 3 dancers
SETTING  1884–1943 • Paris

Photos © 2018 Christine Coquilleau
Poster photo © 2018 Julian Villalba
Poster Art © 2018 Halcyon Pratt
Sculpture © Li Hongbo

The piece written and directed by Wendy Beckett is a chiseled work, fascinating and overwhelming. Meticulous stage direction, on the razor’s edge, we are transported up close & personal to Camille Claudel.
— LA RUE DU BAC
Wendy Beckett offers us a superb show dedicated to the life of this great artist, so unfairly treated. Superb from a dramaturgical point of view. Superb from a formal point of view.
— DE LA COUR AU JARDIN
Célia Catalifo & Swan Demarsan

Célia Catalifo & Swan Demarsan

Sébastien Dumont

Sébastien Dumont

A magnificent creation. A show illuminated by a striking beauty. A captivating story of resplendent theatricality, deeply touching by the emotions it stirs up… a memorable show of rare quality cleverly accomplished. A marvellous production, of magnificent and astonishing originality, of a manifest beauty. An unmissable moment of theatre.
— SPECTATIF
A piece all powerful in its subtlety… a great moment of theatre to discover. The intensity of the actors is perfectly combined with the sharpness of the staging
— PUBLIK ART REVIEW
Célia Catalifo, Mathilde Rance & Sébastien Dumont

Célia Catalifo, Mathilde Rance & Sébastien Dumont

Célia Catalifo is absolutely breathtaking in the title role. Wendy Beckett’s text is both measured and powerful… The show is ambitious: exploring the delicate balance between genius and madness. The actors as well as the dancers were remarkable and stepped up to the challenge, all excellent and spot on. This Claudel is to be seen by everyone, whether you are a man or a woman, whether you like theatre, dance or sculpture.
— COUP DE THÉÂTRE
Christine Gagnepain & Célia Catalifo

Christine Gagnepain & Célia Catalifo

Sébastien Dumont & Mathilde Rance

Sébastien Dumont & Mathilde Rance

Célia Catalifo with sculpture by Li Hongbo

Célia Catalifo with sculpture by Li Hongbo

Audrey Evalaum, Mathilde Rance, Célia Catalifo & Sébastien Dumont

Audrey Evalaum, Mathilde Rance, Célia Catalifo & Sébastien Dumont

CLAUDEL
2018 l'Athénée Théâtre Louis–Jouvet Paris France