Robert Lepage's Kanata premieres at Théâtre du Soleil amid cultural appropriation controversy

So, on December 15, 2018, Robert Lepage's play, Kanata – Episode 1 – the Controversy, premiered at the Cartoucherie de Vincennes. The show almost got canceled due to a big debate over cultural appropriation. This production is special because it's the first time Ariane Mnouchkine has let someone else direct her company, and it was a joint effort with Théâtre du Soleil. The controversy kicked off in July 2018 after Mnouchkine announced the project, and Indigenous artists criticized the lack of Native voices involved. This led to an American co-producer pulling out and public funding being denied. Lepage even decided to waive his fee to keep the show going, which delves into Canada’s colonial history, especially the tragic disappearances of 49 Indigenous women in Vancouver. The cast features characters like artist Leyla Farrozhad and her daughter, and the production incorporates ballet, acrobatics, and video. There’s also a book, Robert Lepage: interview by Ludovic Fouquet, which covers his career. The performance on December 16 was just a rehearsal, with more practice planned before the official opening.