Unplug lavishly by entering Papillon’s world of sensual liberation and ecstasy. Papillon is a cabaret show located at The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina and brings the highest calibre of the arts to audiences every Tuesday through Friday from 8pm to 3am. The show depicts an epic tale of splendour and romance through dance, daring creativity, fashion-forward costumes, and a provocative storyline that perfectly encapsulates the flight of the female.
Papillon was created by the internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter Layla Kardan, who envisioned the show to support her mission of breaking regional stereotypes. The show is a thought-provoking experience that engages the senses with exquisite French Mediterranean cuisine concocted by Michelin chefs and thrilling dance performances designed by the award-winning choreographer Denise Faye. Faye has previously worked on celebrated feature films like Chicago and Burlesque and is known for her continued work on Broadway and in Hollywood. She and Kardan have graciously sat down with Grazia for an exclusive interview, giving us a sneak peek behind the curtain at the most daring cabaret show in Dubai.
What was your inspiration for Papillon?
Layla Kardan: I wanted to create a standout venue offering a fresh, artistic, and sensual experience for Dubai audiences. A place that’s intimate and elegant, with everything tasteful – from the show to the décor, the dining experience, and the service. A place where my friends and like-minded people would gather to escape.
“It’s an enrapturing and unforgettable fun night out.”
How did you decide on opening the show, and the burlesque club, in the Middle East?
Layla Kardan: It was a chance meeting between myself and the Westin Mina Seyahi that started the conversation earlier this year. Having a cabaret/burlesque concept of my own was something I had dreamt of since I was a little girl and when the opportunity came up to take over the space and create something extraordinary, I took it up. With all of the risks during these uncertain times, and with the risk of the back-lash, I was very convinced and everything was aligned. Everything we are doing is within legal constraints, we’re just pushing the envelope is an artistic way with a story to tell. And we couldn’t have had a better partner than Denise Faye, the Queen of Cabaret and the Choreographer behind such films as Chicago, Burlesque, and Nine. We are blessed to have her on this project with us as our Creative Director and our incredible Co-Choreographer, Audrey Hamm from Paris who worked tirelessly on choreographing most of the numbers to perfection.
How do you hope to change people’s perception of womanhood during the performance?
Layla Kardan: The show takes you on a journey from confidence to exploration, and playfulness, then to pain and suffering, and back to power – finally ending with love. It’s a story that most women can relate to at some part of the show. The performers do the most incredible job of captivating the audience and telling that story with so much emotion. It’s not so much that I am trying to change perceptions, I just want to show that women are vulnerable and beautiful and powerful and strong and sensual and divine.
What is one of the things you’re most eager for Papillon’s audience to experience?
Layla Kardan: The food and incredible cocktails whilst they watch our beautiful artists on stage, which includes super talented – and woke – men too. I’m also excited for audiences stay on and party after the show. I basically want them to experience it all, it’s an enrapturing and unforgettable fun night out.
What about Papillon intrigued you when you first heard about the project?
Denise Faye: I welcomed the opportunity to work with Layla Kardan, who is not only renowned and talented, but is also a champion of women’s rights and the rights of all beings. She is bravely outspoken and heart centered for the good of all people, thus this was a unique opportunity to create a show with someone whose beliefs were in accord with my own. Our interests are aligned; in my work I attempt to choose projects that reflect my feelings about bringing awareness regarding social concerns. In terms of my directing and choreographing Papillon, I felt that it was a perfect time and place to explore and bring to a sophisticated audience my feelings regarding a woman’s growth and the challenges one must overcome. Since Dubai is the city of the future, I believe my direction of the extravaganza reflects the forward movement of this time and place.
What ideas were you looking to communicate in the show’s choreography?
Denise Faye: The ideas that I wanted to communicate in the show’s choreography are the same ones that I was looking to communicate in the show overall….namely the power of women. Dance as an art medium can convey every human emotion. I wanted to explore the beauty and challenges of a woman’s life and especially the growth and strength that ensues when a woman meets those challenges head on.
“Since Dubai is the city of the future, I believe my direction of the extravaganza reflects the forward movement of this time and place.”
In your opinion, how is this art form empowering for the dancers in Papillon?
Denise Faye: In the journey of Papillon we use a wide variety of dance styles and storytelling. We handpicked our dancers from all over the world, choosing only the most accomplished, as evidenced in their stunning performances. Our dancers are able to convey, through their artistry, the beauty of emotional growth, which is the message of our show. Using one’s body to such effect is empowering and transformative, which is of course one of the many purposes of art.
If you could describe the show using only three words, what would they be?
Layla Kardan: Provocative, World-Class, Daring
Denise Faye: Breath-taking, Sensual, Empowering
Explore ticketing and more information at the Papillon website here.
