+++
author = ["authors/jenna.md"]
categories = "News"
date = "2016-04-23T19:35:00+01:00"
lastmod = "2016-04-24T14:08:00+01:00"
primary_image = "https://res.cloudinary.com/schmopera/image/upload/v1545409169/media/webhook-uploads/1461436589199/2016-04-23---Geoffrey-Sirett-Alex-Dobson-Laurence-Lemieux-rehearse-for-Against-Nature.jpg.jpg"
primary_image_credit = "Geoffrey Sirett, Alexander Dobson, and Laurence Lemieux rehearse for Against Nature. Photo: Jeremy Mimnagh."
publishDate = "2016-04-24T10:32:00+01:00"
related_articles = ["articles/go-see-les-paradis-perdus-remix.md","articles/in-review-against-nature.md"]
related_companies = ["scene/companies/coleman-lemieux-compagnie.md"]
related_people = ["scene/people/geoffrey-sirett.md","scene/people/alexander-dobson.md"]
short_description = "Next month sees the world premiere of Against Nature (À Rebours), presented by Coleman Lemieux &amp; Compagnie. It&#039;s the second in a series of salon pieces by James Kudelka, director and choreographer, following up on From the House of Mirth in 2012 and 2013. Against Nature features music by Canadian composer James Rolfe (Beatrice Chancy, Elijah&#039;s Kite, Crush) and a libretto by award-winning playwright Alex Poch-Goldin (Cringeworthy, From the House of Mirth, The Shadow)."
slug = "dont-miss-against-nature"
title = "Don&#039;t miss: Against Nature"
+++

Next month sees the world premiere of [*Against Nature (À Rebours)*](http://colemanlemieux.com/portfolio/againstnature/), presented by Coleman Lemieux & Compagnie. It's the second in a series of salon pieces by [James Kudelka](http://colemanlemieux.com/company/james_kudelka/), director and choreographer, following up on [*From the House of Mirth*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TXW20BvDEc&feature=youtu.be) in 2012 and 2013. *Against Nature* features music by Canadian composer [James Rolfe](/scene/people/james-rolfe/) (*Beatrice Chancy*, *Elijah's Kite*, [*Crush*](/james-rolfe-anna-chatterton-on-creating-crush/)) and a libretto by award-winning playwright [Alex Poch-Goldin](https://www.playwrightsguild.ca/playwright/alex-poch-goldin) (*Cringeworthy*, *From the House of Mirth*, *The Shadow*). 

The work is based on the book of the same name by Joris-Karl Huysmans, about a wealthy, contrarian aesthete who has grown to despise human society. He leaves Paris and retreats to the countryside to contemplate life, rather than be a part of it.

<figure data-type="image">{{% md %}}![](https://res.cloudinary.com/schmopera/image/upload/v1545409169/media/webhook-uploads/1461438053441/2016-04-23---James-Kudelka-Laurence-Lemieux-in-rehearsal-for-Against-Nature.jpg.jpg)
<figcaption>James Kudelka and Laurence Lemieux in rehearsal for *Against Nature*. Photo: Jeremy Mimnagh.</figcaption>
</figure>

*Against Nature* runs from **May 5-15**, and audiences have 9 chances to hear some fantastic onstage talent. Baritones [Geoffrey Sirett](/scene/people/geoffrey-sirett/) and [Alexander Dobson](/scene/people/alexander-dobson/) are joined by [Laurence Lemieux](http://colemanlemieux.com/company/laurencelemieux/), dancer and Coleman Lemieux & Compagnie co-Artistic Director, violinist Parmela Attariwala, cellist Carina Reeves, and pianist [Steven Philcox](/scene/people/steven-philcox/), of the [Canadian Art Song Project](/album-review-cloud-light/).

All nine performances of *Against Nature* happen at The Citadel, 304 Parliament St., Toronto. For full details and ticket information, follow our box office links below.
