Swingers

Barbette soars to greatness with the tragic tale of a trapeze artist

Comments (0) By Elaine Liner Thursday, Jun 13 2002

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More than just a daring short play with a flying trapeze, Barbette also seriously addresses the issue of androgyny, notably in the breakup scene between Cocteau and Vander/Barbette. When the wig and makeup come off, the illusion is broken and no longer is his lover what Cocteau calls "the alabaster sculpture come to life." He's simply the small, thin Vander, which infuriates the poet, who violently declares that he only can love the "she" side. (Yes, it is a bit like Hedwig and the angry French.)

Leaving Paris, Barbette would spend the rest of his life suspended between male and female, like William Blake's "eternal androgyne." Injuries would render him earthbound. "We're all falling," he says in the play. "Man is humbled by gravity."

Marge Ely

As the title character in Barbette, Joey Steakley rises above what's expected of most actors25 feet above, to be exact.

Details

Through June 30; 214-953-1055

Heldt/Hall Theater at McKinney Avenue Contemporary

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Yes, but inspired by art. And the talents of many artists--the writers (Lengfelder also directed), actors, designers and technicians--have come together to make Barbette a lofty and inspiring piece of theater.