EONNAGATA
A brand new Sadler’s Wells production, Eonnagata brings together three of the world’s foremost creative minds: internationally acclaimed dancer Sylvie Guillem, world-renowned theatre-maker Robert Lepage and award-winning choreographer Russell Maliphant.
Eonnagata tells the story of the Chevalier d’Éon, Charles de Beaumont; diplomat, writer, swordsman and a member of the King’s Secret, a network of spies under the control of Louis XV. De Beaumont was perhaps the first spy to use transvestitism in the furtherance of his duties and until the day he died his true gender was a source of constant speculation, even provoking public bets in the late 18th century.
For Eonnagata, Guillem, Lepage and Maliphant draw not only from their respective backgrounds, but also from the ancient Kabuki technique of Onnegata, in which male actors portray female roles in an extremely stylised fashion.
Eonnagata’s elaborate costumes of Louis XV’s court are evoked by legendary fashion designer Alexander McQueen.
PRESS
‘Michael Hulls’ lighting is extraordinary, animating and defining the movement and providing much needed changes of pace’
– The Telegraph
‘The stunning lighting from Michael Hulls provides a light show in itself of considerable beauty and theatricality’
– The Financial Times
‘The vivid poetry of Michael Hulls’ lighting’
– The Guardian
‘Michael Hulls’ lighting is extraordinary’
– The Times
‘Michael Hulls’ lighting is fabulous’
– The Independent on Sunday
‘Michael Hulls’ clever lighting…To Hulls goes the credit for many striking stage pictures’
– The Sunday Times
‘Michael Hulls has long been the lighting man of choice for the discerning dancemaker but he excels himself in Eonnagata’
– The Sunday Telegraph
‘Resplendent in that with costumes by Alexander McQueen and lighting by Michael Hulls, the piece is never less than beautiful. Hulls and McQueen do more than dress the stage, they shape and form the action’
– The Observer
‘Michael Hulls produces effects which are close to works of art in themselves and is at the top of his game’
– The Times Literary Supplement
CREATIVE TEAM
Created and Performed by
Sylvie Guillem, Robert Lepage, Russell Maliphant
Music
Jean-Sébastien Côté
Lighting
Michael Hulls
Costume Design
Alexander McQueen
Photographs
Eric Gautron
Félix Dagenais
Eric Labbe
Premiere: Sadler's Wells, 2009