Most every single thing about Thursday night’s performance of N. Ormes by Agathe Bisserier and Adrien Malette-Chénier at Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz was magical. From the concession stand items being baguette sandwiches (brie & apple or ham & cheese) and glasses of champagne to the French accents of every person affiliated with the theater, the entire night was stamped with an exhilarating je ne sais quoi.
Patrons were immersed in Frenchness; according to it site, Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz “is the only year-round theater in L.A. devoted almost exclusively to French language cultures.” This particular show was supported by The Quebec Government Office in L.A., which is fantastic, because N. Ormes deserves to be seen worldwide and, judging by a Google search, it has toured extensively throughout the U.S. thanks to government funding. Next stops are the San Francisco International Arts Festival on May 8, Danville, Kentucky, on May 12, and FringeArts in Philadelphia on May 23 & 24.
The show opens with Agathe and Adrien standing and swaying center stage, lit by a spotlight. The show also ends with the two figures in the same formation. It is the hour in between that leaves viewers completely flabbergasted as to what the human body is capable of. For 60 minutes, the duo showcases their tremendous strength, jaw-dropping agility, and emotional depth as they explore gender norms. Not only are Agathe and Adrien both incredible acrobats, but their emotive facial expressions and tender movements make this a theatrical joy to boot. . . .
Read the entire article at LA Dance Chronicle.
Jessica Koslow 