Without revisiting all of the tale’s interpretations, a coming-of-age story can be detected designed to resolve the duality of being, with Belle embodying the human soul and the Beast being its life force and instincts.
With Jean Cocteau, whose film appeared in cinemas in 1946, the focus is on the portrayal of the artist’s inner demons through the Beast’s duality.
Whether it be lost unity or human nature torn apart, accompanied by Tchaikovsky’s symphonic works, our version of the Beast, freed from his inner demons, marries Belle under a blazing sun.
Thierry Malandain
Preview
with the Basque National Orchestra
Versailles – Opéra Royal
11, 12 and 13 december 2015
creation / French premiere
Lyon - 17a Biennale de la Danse
Amphithéâtre Cité Internationale
16,17,18 september 2016
Music Piotr Ilitch Tchaikovski
Choreography Thierry Malandain
Set and costumes Jorge Gallardo
Lighting design Francis Mannaert
Dressmaker Véronique Murat
Set production Frédéric Vadé
Masks production Annie Onchalo
Coproduction Opéra Royal / Château de Versailles Spectacles, Biennale de la danse de Lyon 2016, Opéra de St Etienne, Ballet T - Teatro Victoria Eugenia Donostia / San Sebastián
Partners Donostia / San Sebastián Capitale Européenne de la Culture 2016, Orchestre Symphonique d’Euskadi, Opéra de Reims, Opéra de Vichy, Teatro Mayor Bogota - Colombie, Fondazione Teatro Communale Città di Vicenza - Italie, Dance Open Festival de Saint Petersbourg - Russie, Teatros del Canal Madrid – Espagne, Théâtre Equilibre de Fribourg - Suisse, Théâtre Olympia d’Arcachon
Lenght 77'
Ballet for 22 dancers