Charlatan

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CHARLATAN is a lush, sexy and painfully revealing memoir of the life of Sergei Diaghilev, considered the 20th Century’s greatest impresario. Diaghilev created the Ballets Russes which he brought to Paris in 1909, inspiring a cultural revolution which still resonates through our culture today. Weaving a glorious tapestry, with sets by Picasso, music by Stravinsky and costumes by Chanel to highlight the best dancers in the world, there has never been anything to match this explosion of artistic expression. A wonderful exhibition of his theatrical achievements and still spreading influence is presently on view at the Victoria and Albert Museum. What you won't find there is a sometimes painful examination of his tumultuous love affair with Nijinsky, probably the greatest male dancer of all time. The memoir details this and also the dancer's ultimate descent into madness at a heartbreakingly early age. One reviewer in New York enthusiastically remarked on the selections of music that played softly behind some of the most vivid passages in this piece. There was no music. Only the words!
Emblematic quote from the show:

"On all of life's journey it is of the utmost importance to travel first class."

THE CRITICS SAY

One4Review: (Five Stars) "as relevant today as any sharp, sassy sitcom . . . a cracking good story. And one that needs to be told." (by Janey Godley)

The Scotsman: (Four Stars)  "Tanner becomes Diaghilev. . . he takes us back to the excitement of 1909 and the Ballet Russes Paris debut"

The ArtsDesk: (Four Stars)   "...the golden age of the Ballets Russes is all effortlessly conjured up by the art that conceals art... so uncondescending in its celebration of an artform that the faultlessly professional Tanner obviously loves to bits. A jewel."

HAIRLINE:fringe: (Four Stars)   "This is what theatre at the Fringe should be about. Original, evocative material performed by a renowned actor/director/writer that delights and endears. . . In an age of mass-produced entertainment, this feels like a special secret to be cherished."

HeraldScotland:  ". . . Tanner returns to Edinburgh from his Los Angeles home to play dance legend Sergei Diaghilev in his own one-man play, Charlatan...it's a piece of fantasy wish fulfillment come true."

The LIST:   ". . . a fascinating story, riddled with controversy, rule bending and boundary pushing. . .. camp, bitchy, wise-cracking portrayal of the Ballet Russes' founding father. . . completely engaging and practically perfect . . ."

WhatsOnStage:  "The actor (Tanner) is excellent. The play (Tanner), quite absorbing . . .. Tanner's Diaghilev is erudite, waspish and captivating. His relationship with Nijinsky, is one of the most interesting stories to be told."

Telegraph.co.uk:  "Top Ten Fringe Drama Shows"

STAGE Edinburgh: "Tanner's enthralling performance aside, this is a fascinating hour. . ."

Edinburgh Festivals Online: "Tanner...brilliantly encapsulated the character of such an interesting subject."

ScotsGay: "Top Ten Editor's Choice"

 

Extract from The Times - 1 September 2010

 "In Charlatan, the veteran actor (and writer, director, choreographer and dancer) Tony Tanner (right) is the wry, waspishly witty embodiment of Sergei Diaghilev, the great Russian-born impressario of the Ballets Russes.  Raised with "art and music at every orifice," he later exerted a huge influence on 20th-century Western culture.

 Speaking from beyond the grave, this Diaghilev treats us to tales of the creation of some key works and details his intimate, troubled relationship wiht the legendary dancer Vaslav Nijinsky.

 One of Tanner's strongest suits is how his richly-expressed, name-dropping script appeals to those in the know without leaving a non-dnace audience out in the cold.  The show would make an excellent warm-up for the Diaghilev-based exhibition opening at the V&A later this month.

 

CLIPS AT:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Xv9IyrzCIM

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