A Night with Josephine tells the story, with text, film and movement, of the American-French dancer, singer and actress Josephine Baker, notorious for her banana dance, but also a civil rights activist, champion of women’s rights, intrepid French Resistance fighter and ‘the most sensational woman anyone ever saw’ (Hemingway).
The colourful scene of 1920s Paris is set with three classic silent short films from the period: Ghosts Before Breakfast (Hans Richter 1928) score by Jean Hasse, The Fall of the House of Usher (Watson & Webber 1928) score by Jean Hasse and Entr’acte (René Clair 1924) score by Luke Styles. Their soundtracks are played live by the acclaimed Counterpoise Ensemble.
Josephine Baker Cassiopeia Berkeley-Agyepong
Musical director Yshani Perinpanayagam
Videographer Andrea Marcovecchio