In Paris
Mikhail Baryshnikov, Anna Sinyakina and the Dmitry Krymov Laboratory
Théâtre National de Chaillot, Paris
September 8, 2011

Legendary ballet dancers are of necessity a rare breed, their performances often remembered so vividly they seem to leave no space in the audience’s mind for another stage career. Seconds before In Paris started on Thursday, as Mikhail Baryshnikov himself stood waiting on the dark stage, some audience members were fervently recounting a 1970s appearance of his in Switzerland, and those of us who didn’t witness his glory days hoped against all odds to be initiated at last.

The legend himself, however, has moved on, and while his latest venture seemed to leave some long-time fans perplexed, the Dmitry Krymov Laboratory – a young Moscow-based company – has offered him an exceptional new leading role.

Premiered in Finland in August, In Paris contains little to no dance, but as theatre it is a resoundingly poetic work. Based on a short story by Ivan Bunin, the production closely follows the text: a Russian émigré in Paris meets a waitress who has also left their country, and the two cling to each other in their loneliness. (…)

» Read the full review in the Financial Times

Anna Sinyakina and Mikhail Baryshnikov in the play © Maria Baronova