The Blacks
[Les Nègres]
by Jean Genet
Premiered on October 3, 2014 at the Odéon-Théâtre de l'Europe, Paris, France
Performed in French.
“Ever since the revelation of Deafman Glance, those who experience a work by Robert Wilson know that they are head and body smack in the middle of our historical patrimony of the contemporary performing arts. As for Genet, no one will dispute his rightful seat at the table of 20th century classics. Hieratic and carnavelesque, The Blacks is a multi-faceted work, drawn from theater (the burlesque theater of clowns), ritual and improvisation. Wilson refuses to choose between the numerous possible readings. Without ever being didactic, he paints, gives rhythm to and minutely fine-tunes his sublime choreographies according to his unique and inimitable language.”