Martin Jørgensen: The production was praised for its ability to convey "developmental inertia"—the feeling of being stuck in a beautiful past while the world moves forward—a theme that resonated with the global shifts occurring in 2016.
: The story follows the doomed, decade-long romance between Fred Peloux (the youthful, decadent "Chéri") and the aging courtesan Léa de Lonval. By July 2016, this production had become a vehicle for exploring the "middle space" between youthful obsession and the harsh reality of aging.
: The July 2016 performances were notable for their casting, often featuring soloists like Svetlana Lunkina , whose performance brought a deep, melancholic "breath of fresh air" to the classic role. A Deep Reflection
To look back at "Cheri" through the lens of July 2016 is to view a period where classic literature was being aggressively re-translated into movement.