Stage | The Guardian: Robert Lepage sits sipping coffee in a vast wicker chair at an old coking plant in Germany's Rhineland, looking impish. Meeting him here feels a bit like finding him on the set of one of his own productions: typically otherworldly and full of surreal encounters.
3 comments:
I am so intrigued by this type of theater! The first few lines of this article, too got me hooked.. just delving into this story gave arise too so many questions. FIRST of all Lepage certainly seems like he is risking it all, in the best way possible, for the sake of his art, vision, and incredibly mad ideas. (The good kind of crazy!) When does this get to be too much though? For him it seems like the sky's the limit, he's not only working on this new show in Las Vegas BUT he is also involved in the MET's production of the Tempest, it seems spectacular. I always wonder how someone gets to do all of these things and stay sane for the most part! In the article it was stated that some of his previous works went up in smoke- just because of time constraints and alot going on, maybe a lot of projects and ideas that just needed more time. I think I'm just fascinated that he took a huge, tremendous risk, failed, but now is so so successful with multiple projects on the burner! I only wonder that, after what some might consider a flop, how do you pick right back up with the same amount of ambition.. I feel like it would be tough for someone starting out! I'm so pleased that I read this article though, I wish I could just find out how Lepage got to such a point where he gets to do what he loves AND is met with project after project to express that. I want to know more about how he manages it all too! And maybe a better question- how does a set designer fit into his work? Are they an equal part of the collaboration? A lot of burning questions- I am just fascinated. He is willing to triumph greatly or fail triumphantly. Amazing.
I absolutely love that this article makes the parallel between the horrible original reception of Seven Streams and the incredible impact it had in hindsight. I just think it really shows how much we need perspective and context in order to fully appreciate the significance of a work. Robert Lepage is obviously a very skilled director with incredible ideas. Even if Seven Streams wasn't very well done at its premiere, it affected his work and the work of productions that came after it. I also like his emphasis on process, and how his productions are constantly being "cooked in the oven." By letting a production guide itself and not imposing any elements or devices on it, that is when the best work comes forward.
Robert Lepage is obviously a very interesting and original director, and I would love to see "Playing Cards". That, to me, sounds like the kind of theater that makes you think and want more because it is so unlike everything you usually see. It is interesting that Lepage works on such unique and seemingly "underground" projects, yet is a very successful director who collaborates with Cirque and the MET. His process described in the article, the way he discusses with his actors and works around his script and set and such seems fascinating to me, what modern theater should aim to do to its audiences.
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