CLAUDEL — AUSTRALIA
APRIL—MAY 2021 SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE
Christopher Stollery & Imogen Sage
Kip Gamblin, Cloé Fournier & Dorothea Csutkai
CLAUDEL
The elusive story of the genius sculptor Camille Claudel, CLAUDEL fuses storytelling, dance, sculpture and music to create a thrilling reimagining of the story of one of the world’s greatest and most misunderstood sculptors and her tumultuous relationship with legendary artist, Auguste Rodin. Set in 1880s Paris, this haunting drama unflinchingly questions the notions of genius versus madness and the dramatic consequences for a woman who chose an artistic life deemed too radical and unladylike for society to condone.
CLAUDEL directed by Wendy Beckett with choreography by Meryl Tankard premiered in March 2018 at the historic Athénée Theatre in Paris followed by a limited season at Festival OFF d’Avignon, France.
The Australian premiere was performed at Sydney Opera House, Playhouse in April–May of 2021
CAST 3 women • 3 men • 3 dancers
SETTING 1884–1943 • Paris
Photos © 2021 Daniel Boud
Poster photo © 2018 Julian Villalba
Poster Art © 2018 Halcyon Pratt
Sculpture © Li Hongbo
Tara Morice & Mitchell Bourke
“Beckett, who also directs Claudel, gives the production clarity and moves it along at a good pace to make it an unusual and interesting addition to Sydney’s theatre scene.”
“Beckett and Tankard’s treatment of Claudel’s life adopts her struggle as an analogy for the conflict between naturalism and conservatism, the real tragedy being the fact that Camille fell victim to those supporting and profiting from a religious regime, just as the secular state was established in France. Claudel is a worthy retelling of her story, which at last portrays her as a very real and normal woman.”
Henrietta Amevor, Imogen Sage & Melissa Kahraman
Kip Gamblin & Cloé Fournier
“Compelling, moving and a visual delight… Everything about this production – the script, the set and costume design, sound and lighting, the performances from both actors and dancers – combines beautifully to provide 90 minutes of unforgettable theatre.”
Cloé Fournier & Imogen Sage
Kip Gamblin
Christopher Stollery & Imogen Sage
Tara Morice & Imogen Sage