White plastic lawn chairs, shimmering scarves dangling from the ceiling, colourful ropes pulling props down to the stage, a feather dress worthy of Cannes, and a chorus of trans hairdressers set the scene in Nadia Beugré’s highly energetic and provocatively compelling Prophétique (on est déjà né.es (we are already born).
Native of Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire, choreographer Nadia Beugré seeks to inform and examine power through her triple lens of woman, artist, and lesbian. Her latest work is a powerful sensual and political performance that looks at the lives of six Black trans divas from Côte d’Ivoire, Brazil, and Belgium as they work as hair and beauty artists by day and express their double lives by night in the streets of Abidjan’s Yopougon neighbourhood.
The performance is risqué and heavily innuendoed, vacillating from dancing, singing, and wild costume changes to barking, gum popping, and lip buzzing in lieu of applause. Sexually charged and incredibly raw, Prophétique turns trans stereotypes into talking points that make it impossible to look away from the injustice, exclusion, and violence that are part and parcel of trans existence everywhere.
Each performer plays their part with unique talent and bold honesty, exposing the bodies they’ve taken ownership of along with their fears and desires in a growing frenzy that ultimately culminates in a chorus call for freedom. Even the audience is part of the choreography as performers break the fourth wall and pull us into the dance.
Nadia Beugré does not shy away from showing us the tantalizing along with the tender, and her blend of languages, bodies, media, and message makes for a performance that will leave you reeling and, ultimately, hopeful.
Prophétique (on est déjà né.es) is playing until May 30 at Monument-Nationale Salle Ludger-Duvernay. Tickets can be found here.
