Juliette Binoche at BAM

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 9/22/09 at 12:53pm

Over the weekend I made the trip out to Brooklyn and caught Juliette Binoche in her two person dance/theater piece. Most of it worked, only faltering a few times in the latter half of the 70 minute production.

The good news is that Binoche is absolutely as luminous and captivating on stage as she is on film. There's just something about the emotion in her voice that gets to me. Her performance was very raw and honest, probably aided by the fact that she isn't a trained dancer.

Her partner in the piece is VERY trained and his credits included several one-man dance shows in London. He was given one monologue late in the show, and this was kind of a mistake. His acting wasn't nearly as good as his dancing, and the monologue itself was clunky.

The piece followed a relationship through ups and downs, alternating dance with monologues from Binoche. The set was two chairs and a red wall in the back. The music was a lot of fun. I wish they had placed a song list in the program.

This was my first time at BAM and I really liked the theater. The juxtaposition of old and modern works, and provides an appropriate atmosphere for the type of theater it looks like they're trying to provide.

I believe this is only playing one more weekend, but if you have any intest at all, don't let this pass you by. I really want to see Binoche try her hand at a Broadway play. I think she would wow in something intense and challenging.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 9/22/09 at 12:55pm

I'm going tomorrow night and can't wait. Binoche is simply one of the most radiantly beautiful women who has ever walked the face of the earth. Seeing her up close is something you won't soon forget.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 9/22/09 at 2:21pm

Absolutely. If you have the patience you should really wait for at the stagedoor. Apparently she gets a massage after each performance that lasts about an hour, but if you wait it out you will truly see how stunning she looks.

[broadwaybaby086]

Posted: 9/24/09 at 10:12pm

I saw it tonight and really enjoyed it. I took a chance on heading out to Brooklyn after work to try for a student rush ticket, and got one- 3rd row, center. I'd never heard of Akram Khan and found his movement to be so intriguing and powerful. He has quite a resumé, as well- I hope to see more of his work in the future. Binoche moved very well and was as captivating on stage as she is on film. I loved the set design and lighting- the use of the wall was really effective.

Bah, I can't articulate how much I enjoyed the piece. I feel dance really deeply but never seem to be able to translate that into written language. But that's alright, and maybe how it should be. I just know that between this and Fall for Dance this week it feels like an embarrassment of riches!