Ooh la la – photographic artist and author Carolyn Campbell’s bestselling book, City of Immortals: Père-Lachaise Cemetery, Paris came to life at the Raymond Kabbatz Theatre in Los Angeles November 6th.
An immersive multi-disciplinary festival, the 6-hour event paid tribute to the many artists resting in the cemetery from Bizet to Jim Morrison.
The event included a photographic exhibition, film screening, artist talks, and book signing, as well as tasty baguettes and champagne.
While Campbell’s large-scale prints of her beautiful photographs were the centerpiece of the exhibition, the ultimate interpretation of these works and the book itself came in the form of living performance artists interpreting the works of the composers, poets, dancers, and visual artist who now reside in the monumentally sculptural cemetery.
The day unfolded with a screening of the documentary Forever from Heddy Honigmann, a tour of the cemetery that was powerfully poignant and meditative, a beautiful overview of the cemetery’s environment and emotional impact.
Following the film, Campbell conducted her first presentation and q and a with audience members, showing slides of her images and describing her visits to Père Lachaise. After Campbell’s own book signing, it was time for a second talk, and the dramatic live performance.
A tour de force narrated by the character of Isadora Duncan, viewers were led into the world of the cemetery’s great residents, from Frédéric Chopin, Edith Piaf, Georges Bizet, and Jim Morrison, to a witty and riveting Can-Can dancer finale that drew people out of their seats.
Kacie Devaney wrote the original play, Stores from Pere Lachaise. Devaney also played Duncan, and choreographed the dancers in the production, which was directed by Pierre Leloup, the director of the Raymond Kabbaz Theatre.
Performances were top notch, with incredible voicing and sinuous, well-choreographed dances. The cast members, many of whom took on multiple roles, included: Cedric Berry, Victoria Kirsch, Shana Blake Hill, Nora Germain, Chloé Perrier, Cabaret Versatile, Félixe de Becker, and Kacie Devaney. Kirsch, a fine pianist, also served as music director. Berry’s brilliant baritone was a special standout.
It was a fitting tribute to and full-on entertainment about an other-worldly place, as depicted in Campbell’s City of Immortals. The non-fiction work, as gracefully written as it is photographed, features 100 color photos along with a fold-out map of Père-Lachaise Cemetery, which is sure to encourage a visit.
Copies of the book are sold through Village Well, an independent bookstore in Culver City – order there, or via Amazon.
Genie Davis; photos, Carolyn Campbell; Genie Davis