The artistic director of Béjart Ballet Lausanne (BBL) Gil Roman is fired. At issue: an “inappropriate and intolerable” incident that occurred during BBL performances at the Paris Opera, according to the Foundation Board. His contract will end on April 30, 2024.
During the first evening of BBL performances at the Opéra Garnier in January, Gil Roman invited the former production director – denounced in the 2021 audit for attitudes and remarks amounting to sexual harassment and dismissed with immediate effect – at the performance, then at the private aperitif which followed in the presence of all the dancers, indicates the Foundation Board in a press release published Friday.
“After clarifying the facts and hearing Gil Roman, the Council considered this behavior inappropriate and intolerable towards the institution and even more so towards the dancers, taking into account the conclusions of the audit and the decisions that he had then taken,” it is written. “In compliance with the zero tolerance clearly stated in 2021 and despite the artistic qualities of Gil Roman”, the Council decided to terminate his employment contract on April 30, 2024.
The artistic director of Béjart Ballet Lausanne (BBL) Gil Roman is fired. [Keystone]
Unanimous decision
The incident that occurred in Paris “shocked quite a few dancers, it came back to us and we consider that it is both inappropriate and unacceptable, because we have set a very clear framework on these questions”, explains Grégoire Junod, trustee of Lausanne and vice-president of the Béjart Ballet Lausanne foundation, in Forum.
“It is not respectful of the Foundation Council and the measures that have been taken, and it is even less respectful of the dancers. From this point of view, the Council of foundation has unanimously decided to terminate Gil Roman’s contract”, specifies the Lausanne socialist.
It is not impossible that the BBL loses the rights to Maurice Béjart’s work, but we think today that it is unlikely
Grégoire Junod, trustee of Lausanne and vice-president of the Béjart Ballet Lausanne foundation
The rights linked to Béjart’s work are in the hands of the Maurice Béjart foundation which is directed by Gil Roman. However, the latter has always assured that if he were one day fired, he would leave with this work. The Béjart Ballet therefore risks no longer being able to perform the compositions of the famous choreographer.
“It’s not impossible, but we think today that it’s unlikely,” says Grégoire Junod. We have discussions with all the members of the Maurice Béjart foundation. All the feedback we have today suggests that we have a joint desire to continue the adventure and to continue to entrust the ballets of Maurice Béjart to the BBL. “
>> See the interview with Grégoire Junod in Forum: What consequences does the dismissal of Gil Roman have for the Béjart Ballet? Interview with Grégoire Junod / Forum / 4 min. / yesterday at 6:00 p.m.
Already pinned in the 2021 audit
Following the audit and following its recommendations, the Foundation Board has repeatedly reiterated its desire to no longer allow certain behaviors to take place within the BBL and to scrupulously ensure respect for the personality of all staff. , he recalls. The Paris incident was obviously the straw that broke the camel’s back.
Gil Roman himself had been singled out by the audit. Maintained in his position as choreographer and ballet director, the Foundation Board had however decided to supervise him. If the report recognized the artistic qualities of Gil Roman, the choreographer was described as sensitive, sharp and demanding, but also as vulgar, impulsive, angry and insulting.
On the other hand, the audit did not provide any evidence of rumors reporting sexual harassment, homophobia, cocaine consumption or trafficking or even nepotism on the part of the artistic director.
The governance of the dance company has been reviewed, with the creation of a position of general director, in the person of Giancarlo Sergi. He took office in September 2022.
>> Read also: Béjart Ballet bounces back with Swiss basketball president Giancarlo Sergi
Looking for a successor
The Foundation Board further indicates that it will appoint “an interim artistic director as soon as necessary and is now starting to recruit a new artistic director”. 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 are ensured, according to him.
As an extension of the regular exchanges that the BBL Foundation maintains with the Maurice Béjart Foundation, holder of the rights to the latter’s choreographies, discussions will now be initiated to ensure the future of the company, confirm a new artistic direction and continue to make to promote the work of Maurice Béjart in Lausanne and around the world, we also underline.
“The Foundation Board thanks Gil Roman for the years spent within the BBL, for his investment and for the artistic excellence that he has instilled throughout his commitment to the service of the company,” concludes its press release.
Spiritual son of Maurice Béjart
Born in 1960 in Alès, in the south of France, Gil Roman joined Maurice Béjart in 1979 at the Ballet du 20e siècle in Brussels. He then followed his master’s company, arriving in 1987 in Lausanne.
He has performed many creations by Maurice Béjart, also gradually assuming managerial functions within the BBL. When Maurice Béjart died in 2007, he took over as head of the company, devoting himself to keeping the work left by his spiritual father alive.
ats/kkub