The press release from the Maurice Béjart Foundation came out on Friday afternoon: it is terminating the contract as director of Gil Roman, the choreographer's favorite dancer who had directed the company since his death in November 2007. A direction assumed in a shaky manner: if Gil Roman wonderfully recreated the ballets of the deceased master, he did not intend to remain in his shadow.
He had improvised as a choreographer himself and conditioned each cover of Bejart on the creation of a piece of his own.
Alas, one cannot improvise as a choreographer.
Just like having been a great dancer, you cannot improvise as a ballet master.
The atmosphere was often tense in the studios and in June 2021 a cabal broke out against this man who was too dark to lead dancers in serenity.
Also read: When the big and small secrets of Béjart Ballet Lausanne are shattered
Following an audit, the ballet's technical director was fired for harassment, and Gil remained as artistic director, restrained by a personnel director and a general director from basketball, Giancarlo Sergi.
The ace!
At the Opéra Garnier in January 2024 “Gil Roman nevertheless invited this former production director to the performance, then to the private aperitif which followed in the presence of all the dancers,” explains the press release.
After clarifying the facts and also hearing Gil Roman, the Foundation Board considered this behavior inappropriate and intolerable towards the institution and even more so the dancers, taking into account the conclusions of the audit and the decisions which he had then taken.”
Gil Roman will therefore leave his position on April 30, 2024. It is up to the foundation to find a successor.
In the meantime, thanks to the structure put in place in 2022 and directed by Giancarlo Sergi, the production and presentation of the scheduled shows is ensured.