Before his summer ballet – where we had a glimpse of the music created by Marc Monnet at the Spring of Arts, Jean-Christophe Maillot presents this new version of Faust which earned him the prestigious Benois de la danse in Moscow in May 2008. It is no surprise after seeing this show which will only be performed until Sunday, May 3 at the Grimaldi Forum.
How many prestigious choreographers have tackled the famous myth of Faust? Maurice Béjart was one of them, but he could not participate in this version and Jean-Christophe Maillot does not forget him by dedicating this Monaco show to him.
Having just returned from their tour in Japan, the Ballets de Monte-Carlo troupe started preparing for the five performances that began Wednesday at the Grimaldi Forum.
If one were to summarize this show, it would be described as the story of a man who must sell his soul to the devil in exchange for eternal youth and a life of pleasure. Faust, the young man, must seal his pact with Mephisto, who promised him that the pure Marguerite would become his mistress. But Death, terribly attractive and all the more formidable, is always lurking…
### A “Faust” that will make history…
Despite the subject being musically addressed in 1857 by the Hungarian Franz Liszt, inspired by Goethe’s “Tragedy of Faust”, this myth is still relevant. What about this version created in 2007 in Monaco, which won the “Benois” for dance in Moscow the following year? That if Jean-Christophe Maillont had not directed the staging of the same Faust, Gounod’s opera, at the Wiesbaden Theatre in Spring 2007, it might not have come to fruition? That it will greatly surprise fans of this Opera? Certainly a good dose of that. No one sings on stage, no visible orchestra or chorus. But the music is still present in this ballet…
This 2009 version will allow the dancers to show their talent, their technical and artistic maturity, to see the new costumes by Philippe Guillotel with remarkable complementarity for good and evil, not to forget that of Death. Bernice Coppieters brings to the character a dimension and a formidable charm, all in fine gestural and expressive finesse.
In her power struggle, she will have to face Méphistophélès – who appears in black but with a red shirt, red gloves, and especially makeup and a costume not very “masculine” for an amazing Jérôme Marchand in the role of the Devil.
Asier Uriagereka is Faust, more modern than ever, brimming with energy and screaming truth (which should not be shown to children), who – to seal his malevolent pact – will dare all the prohibitions and taboos. In the role of the ideal and pure young girl, Mimoza Koike captivated us with an intoxicating touch of lightness.
### The main characters and more…
But one must especially not forget the scenography by Rolf Sachs, rightly considered one of the most stimulating and even provocative contemporary furniture creators of his generation.
One could say as much about the choreography by Jean-Christophe Maillot (who also signed the lighting) who did not hesitate to disrupt ideas and taboos in this “Faust” that will make history. Precisely; you only have two more performances to go and admire this spectacle, so head to the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco…
Choreography and Lighting: Jean-Christophe Maillot
Music: Franz Liszt and Bertrand Maillot
Scenography: Rolf Sachs
Costumes: Philippe Guillotel
“Faust” by the Ballets de Monte-Carlo: [www.balletsdemontecarlo.com](https://www.balletsdemontecarlo.com)
Grimaldi Forum / Salle des Princes – Monaco
Saturday, May 2, 2009 at 8:30 PM and Sunday, May 3 at 4 PM.
Booking: +377 99 99 3000
