CHANEL Connects: The Art of Performance with Francesca Hayward and Allison Katz

Episode Release Date: July 22, 2025

Host: Yana Peel

In the second episode of Season 5 of CHANEL Connects, presented by Yana Peel, Francesca Hayward, principal dancer of the Royal Ballet, engages in a profound conversation with artist and painter Allison Katz. Set against the enchanting backdrop of La Pausa, Gabrielle Chanel’s meticulously restored villa on the French Riviera, the episode delves into the intricate parallels between ballet and painting, exploring themes of illusionism, creative processes, physicality, and the essence of live performance.

Introduction to Guests and Themes

Yana Peel sets the stage by introducing the guests and the central theme of the episode:

Jana Peel [00:06]: "For season five, we journey to La Pausa, Gabrielle Chanel's villa on the French Riviera. You'll hear artists and innovators discuss the future of creativity and the innate curiosity that powers their work."

Francesca Hayward and Allison Katz exchange warm greetings, immediately establishing a rapport grounded in mutual respect and shared artistic passion.

Illusionism in Ballet and Painting

The conversation begins with Allison Katz drawing parallels between illusionism in painting and ballet:

Alison Katz [01:06]: "With painting, I can never get over this kind of thing that painting can do where you can take a flat surface and turn it into something that has depth... ballet and the way that there's so much illusionism about taking the body and almost making it do something that you can't imagine it could do."

Francesca echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the transformative nature of her craft:

Francesca Hayward [01:42]: "It's all part. That's the bit I enjoy the most, is, like, that transformative process... becoming someone else and all the levels to that and going on that journey on stage."

This section establishes the foundational theme of how both art forms create illusions that captivate and transport audiences beyond the tangible.

Creative Process and Transformation

Allison delves deeper into the creative processes, contrasting the structured steps of ballet with the fluidity of painting:

Alison Katz [04:38]: "I like to almost come to every painting day with 50% of the idea or of the energy. And then I sort of await the other 50%."

Francesca reflects on the consistency and variability within ballet:

Francesca Hayward [04:56]: "The steps always stay the same... how you do them, like, the flavor that you give to them can be so different every time."

Both artists highlight the balance between structure and spontaneity, illustrating how adherence to foundational principles allows for personal expression and innovation.

Trust and Mentorship

The dialogue shifts to the importance of mentorship and trust in their respective fields. Francesca shares a poignant moment of trust with her coach:

Francesca Hayward [22:44]: "I was so lucky with the coaches that I've had. My very first coach at the Royal Ballet was the very first ballerina that I ever saw on a video of the Nutcracker."

Allison relates this to her artistic journey, acknowledging the influence of mentors while maintaining personal agency:

Alison Katz [23:38]: "It's not about a single painting. It's bigger than that. It's a bigger arc about trying to push through and evolve into the unknown."

This exchange underscores the delicate balance between guidance and personal creativity, essential for artistic growth.

Physicality, Technique, and Health

The conversation transitions to the physical demands of their crafts. Francesca discusses the evolution of her relationship with her body:

Francesca Hayward [17:02]: "I'm taking recovery, like, very seriously now, whereas I never did before."

Allison shares her experiences with a recent accident, highlighting how physical limitations can influence artistic expression:

Alison Katz [27:22]: "A few weeks ago, I was in an accident, and I learned so much. ... the constraints and the limitations and the pain really put me into a place, a different kind of consciousness."

Both artists emphasize the paramount importance of physical health and its direct impact on their ability to perform and create.

Artistic Truth and Vulnerability

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the concept of "truthful" art and the vulnerability it entails. Francesca articulates her pursuit of authenticity in performance:

Francesca Hayward [25:27]: "I love that you said truthful, because that's a word that I think about a lot... It's when I know when my performance has gone well."

Allison adds depth to this notion, reflecting on the subjectivity of artistic interpretation:

Alison Katz [21:56]: "It feels truthful in that moment, to that time."

Their exchange highlights how true artistic expression requires vulnerability and honesty, allowing audiences to connect deeply with the work.

The Irreplaceable Nature of Live Performance

Francesca passionately defends the unique essence of live ballet:

Francesca Hayward [26:00]: "You can't match a live performance. It's the energy, it's everything about it is electric."

Allison concurs, lamenting the limitations of reproductions in capturing the full experience:

Alison Katz [28:07]: "A reproduction is not the same thing. ... painting is in no sign of decline."

They both express skepticism about technology ever truly replacing the visceral impact of live performances, underlining the enduring value of human artistry.

Concluding Thoughts and Parallels Between Art Forms

As the conversation winds down, Francesca and Allison reflect on the interconnectedness of their art forms:

Alison Katz [30:08]: "There has been a long dialogue between dancers and painters."

Francesca Hayward [30:18]: "There's impossibility and there's the body and there's movement and there's all these constraints that both lead to magic."

Their concluding remarks encapsulate the episode's central theme: despite differing mediums, ballet and painting share profound similarities in their capacity to enchant, tell stories, and evoke emotions through disciplined creativity and imaginative expression.

Notable Quotes:

• Allison Katz [01:06]: "...painting can do where you can take a flat surface and turn it into something that has depth."

• Francesca Hayward [01:42]: "...that transformative process... becoming someone else and all the levels to that and going on that journey on stage."

• Francesca Hayward [04:56]: "...how you do them, like, the flavor that you give to them can be so different every time."

• Alison Katz [21:56]: "...it feels truthful in that moment, to that time."

• Francesca Hayward [26:00]: "You can't match a live performance. It's the energy, it's everything about it is electric."

This episode of CHANEL Connects offers a rich exploration of the synergies between ballet and painting, providing listeners with deep insights into the minds of two dedicated artists. Through their dialogue, Hayward and Katz illuminate the shared dedication, creative struggles, and profound rewards that define their respective art forms.