James Ensor’s Paintings Come to Life at Théâtre des Calanques

Marseille’s Théâtre des Calanques is set to stage “La Porte d’Ensor” (The Door of Ensor) from March 12-14, 2026, a unique performance that draws inspiration from the work of Belgian painter James Ensor. The production blends dance, acting, and lyrical singing to explore the artist’s distinctive universe.

A Theatrical Exploration of Ensor’s World

The play, written by Marion Coutris and directed by Serge Noyelle, is described as a thriller that delves into the life and artistic vision of James Ensor (1860-1949), a pioneer of modern art. Coutris notes Ensor’s “inventiveness” and “anarchist” approach to painting, highlighting his rejection of academic norms. The performance aims to capture the interplay between the grotesque and the poetic that characterizes Ensor’s work.

The Creative Team and Performers

“La Porte d’Ensor” features a cast of eight dancers and actors, accompanied by the countertenor Rémy Brès-Feuillet. Brès-Feuillet, a former student of the Pierre-Barbizet Conservatory in Marseille, recently completed a European tour with the baroque music ensemble Il Pomo d’Oro. His performance serves as a central thread throughout the production.

A Journey Through Ensor’s Imagery

The production evokes the enigmatic quality of Ensor’s paintings, particularly works like “The Masks Scandalized” (1883), which depicts masked figures in a theatrical setting. Noyelle describes the play as opening a door to a world of mist and light, populated by characters from Ensor’s life, and imagination. The staging aims to recreate the atmosphere of Ensor’s paintings, with a focus on ceremonial figures, processions, and dreamlike visions.

Theatrical and Pictorial Fusion

“La Porte d’Ensor” seeks to bridge the gap between visual art and theatre, exploring the inherent dramaturgical qualities of Ensor’s work. The production emphasizes the theatricality of Ensor’s compositions, bringing to life the strange and unsettling imagery found in his paintings. The performance is accompanied by music, including compositions by Marco Quesada, Patrick Cascino, Purcell, Monteverdi, and Haendel, with Rémy Brès-Feuillet performing with the accordion.