The indefatigable Japanese butô dancer-choreographer Kazuo Ohno at 94 defies the Western dance custom of saying farewell to the stage at the relatively youthful age of 40. Most European dancers end up settling into routine teaching or guest choreographing. Looking at Paris-based butô dancer Carlotta Ikeda, and Sankai Juku director Ushio Amagustu you’d think artistic life only gets into full swing after 50!
Kazuo Ohno will be making a brief but not to be missed visit with his son Yoshito at the Théâtre de la Ville-Abbesses annex December 29 and 30 in a work appropriately called “La Fleur Sans Age” (The Ageless Flower). Ohno, who started dancing by chance at 30 in 1936 in expressionist works brought to Japan by pupils of German modern dance pioneer Mary Wigman, co-created butô dance (the dance of darkness in Japanese) with Tatsumi Hijikata after World War II in reaction to the horrors of Hiroshima.
Contrary to the reputation butô has earned in recent decades for depicting torturous and morbid images with zombie-like whitewashed figures roaming in despair, Ohno has always strived to create a lighter more luminous atmosphere with a touch of hope and sometimes humor. He’s refused to dwell on death and prefers to celebrate the marvels of life. His famous piece called “Homage to La Argentina” (1977), in which he parodied a legendary flamenco dancer clad in a gawdy flower hat, earned him the nickname of “God’s Divine Clown.”
In December, the Théâtre de la Ville will also welcome Ohno’s younger compatriot Ushio Amagatsu (51) and his Tokyo-based company Sankai Juku (which means the atelier of the mountain and the sea) in two program. Amagatsu’s style is very Zen. His is a mellow blend of butô, religious ritual and chanting, yet some how one feels he’s been inspired by some of the better French contemporary dance.
Trends may be changing as far as performance longevity goes, with brave souls like Zizi Jeanmaire still dancing as she heads towards 80, and 70-year-old former Bolshoi star Maya Plisetskaia dazzling audiences with her “Dying Swan” as flawlessly as when she was 20.
As Kazuo Ohno puts it, “A voice tells me: ‘even though you’re elderly, even though your body is feeble and decaying, you must give your all to your life, and live it as you please.’ Those words alone keep my heart beating.”
“Kagemi”/Ist program (chor. Sankai Juku/Ushio Amagatsu), Dec 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21 at 8:30pm, “Hibiki”/2nd program (chor. Sankai Juku/Ushio Amagatsu), Dec 27-30 at 8:30pm. Théâtre de la Ville, 2 pl du Châtelet, 4e, M° Châtelet, RER Châtelet-Les Halles, tel: 01 42 74 22 77. “La Fleur Sans Age” (chor. Kazuo Ohno et Yoshito Ohno). Dec 29 & 30 at 8:30pm. Théâtre de la Ville-Abbesses, 31 rue des Abbesses, 18e, M° Abbesses, tel: 01 42 74 22 77
Dance Selections
“The Nutcracker” (chor. Rudolf Nureyev, based on the version by Marius Petipa) Dec 5, 13, 19, 20, 23 at 7:30pm; Dec 2, 16 at 2:30pm & 8pm; Dec 10, 24 at 3pm. Rudolf Nureyev’s sumptuously staged and costumed version of Marius Petipa’s “Nutcracker” (1892), is a must at holiday time. Opéra National de Paris-Bastille, Paris Opera Ballet Company, 2 bis pl de la Bastille, 12e, M° Bastille, tel: 08 36 69 78 68
“Jewels” (chor. George Balanchine) Dec 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 at 7:30pm. Legend. Opéra National de Paris-Palais Garnier, Paris Opera Ballet Company, pl de l'Opéra, 1er, M° Bastille, tel: 08 36 69 78 68
“Shazam!” (chor. Philippe Decouflé/Compagnie DCA ) Jan 12, 15, 16 at 7:30pm; Jan 13 at 2:30pm & 8pm; Jan 14 at 3pm. Inspired by the optical illusion techniques and trick photography pioneered by the early silent filmmakers. A magical mystery tour into a circus-like wonderland of mirrors, metamorphosis and comic stunts. Opéra National de Paris-Palais Garnier, pl de l’Opéra, 1er, M° Bastille, tel: 08 36 69 78 68
“Paquita” (chor. Pierre Lacotte based on the version by Marius Petipa) Jan 25, 26, 27, 29, 30, 31 at 7:30pm. This new remake of the 1846 Romantic classic tells the story of a young Spanish girl who’s kidnapped by a gang of gypsies. Opéra National de Paris-Palais Garnier, pl de l’Opéra, 1er, M° Bastille, tel: 08 36 69 78 68
“Dissection d’un homme armé” (chor. Bernardo Montet/AssociationMarguerite-Bernardo Montet) About war and the consequences of defeat. Dec 6-9 at 8:30pm. Théâtre de la Ville, 2 pl du Châtelet, 4e, M° Châtelet, RER Châtelet-Les Halles, tel: 01 42 74 22 77
“The Show Must Go On” (chor. Jérôme Bel) Jan 4-6 at 8:30pm. The music is eclectic, spanning from the Beatles, Queen and techno to easy-listening with a cool DJ making sure the show goes on. Théâtre de la Ville, 2 pl du Châtelet, 4e, M° Châtelet, RER Châtelet-Les Halles, tel: 01 42 74 22 77
“Blindspot” (chor. Rui Horta) Jan 10-13 at 8:30pm. Portuguese choreographer Rui Horta premieres his new creation billed as an abstract road movie. Théâtre de la Ville, 2 pl du Châtelet, 4e, M° Châtelet, RER Châtelet-Les Halles, tel: 01 42 74 22 77
“Le Dernier Spectacle” (chor. Jérôme Bel) Dec 19-22, 8:30pm. Minimalist movement and humor. Théâtre de la Ville/Abbesses, 31 rue des Abbesses, 18e, M° Abbesses, tel: 01 42 74 22 77
“Création” (chor. Emmanuelle Huynh-Thanh-Loan) Dec 7-9 at 8:30pm, Dec 10 at 4:30pm. Unrelated contrasting elements. Centre Pompidou/Festival d’Automne, pl Georges Pompidou, 4e, M° Hôtel de Ville, tel: 01 44 78 12 33
“Past Forward” (chor. Mikhail Baryshinikov/White Oak Dance Project) Dec 6-8, 8:30pm; Dec 9 at 4:30 & 8:30pm; Dec 10 at 3:30pm. Baryshinikov’s new show reconstructs several key works from the ’50s through the ’70s. MC 93 Bobigny/Festival d'Automne, 1 bd Lénine, Bobigny, M° Bobigny-Pablo Picasso, tel: 01 41 60 72 72
“La petite fille aux allumettes” (chor. Elizabeth Schmidt/Tendanse) Dec 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 4pm. Entertaining programs for the family. Danse, Théâtre & Musique Studio-Théâtre, 6 rue de la Folie Méricourt, 11e, M° St-Ambroise, tel: 01 47 00 19 60
