Laurent Philippe
"The ultimate relevance of theater is about the pleasure it gives. The bottom line is to determine how this entertainment can also become a source of energy and reflection"
Jean Vilar
Chaillot, a place of life, pleasure, energy and reflection, this could be the manifesto for the direction this big house has been taking since 2008.
In this early 21th century we are witnessing a reconfiguration of the choreographic landscape in France and around the world. The upheavals of the choreographic world – breakthroughs, departures, incorporation and pursuit of new languages – call for new thinking in a theater primarily dance-oriented. Our desire is to bridge the landmark works of the last forty years with present-day languages.
Theater still has a prominent place. Contemporary creations combine distinctive styles and genres through works that explore the cross-pollinations of various art forms, including theater, dance, visual arts, circus, music, etc. Today’s theater, where speech is articulated through text and sound, body and image, fits naturally into this new project.
The diversity offered by theater, circus, visual arts and dance, places the spectator in a central, critical and active position to better understand the complexity of today’s world. Each season comes with a theme and a series of high points. The Merveilleux, Savant & Populaire (fantastic, scholarly and popular) are the connecting threads. Hip hop, Anticodes and flamenco offer a concentrated mix of various viewpoints within artistic movements that need diligent attention.
Throughout the season “L’Art d’être spectateur” offers workshops or meetings based on the meaning of acting, experimenting, discovering and thinking in addition to the dissemination of wide-ranging works.
These regular events, carried out by the artists of the invited companies, philosophers or intellectuals, bring sharp insights on the shows and create special moments of amazement, pleasure and reflection.
We wish to encourage you to experience art with glee and curiosity because art as it conjures up the imagination – the most beautiful side of our humanity – enhances the feeling of life.
Dominique Hervieu and José Montalvo
Directors of Théâtre National de Chaillot
