The noose is tightening around renowned choreographer Eddy Toussaint, less than a week after his arrest was made public. While the Laval police confirm that they are dealing with new complaints against him, the theaters prefer to be extra careful by deprogramming his shows.
Original creation by Eddy Toussaint, the show Dracula was to be presented at the Maison des arts de Laval in October, but the City has decided to suspend ticket sales “in order to take the time to analyze all the impacts caused by the major charges brought against Mr. Toussaint”. The representations of Nutcracker in December at the Marcellin-Champagnat theater were also canceled in the last few days by the broadcaster for the same reasons.
The company, which bears the name of Eddy Toussaint, now fears for its survival, and at the very least hopes that the City of Laval will change its tune. “It’s unfair to charge dancers, volunteers and all the other people who worked so hard for this show. Especially after two years of COVID,” lamented Nathalie Marcotte, one of the company’s administrators.
Long-time friend of the famous choreographer, Mme Marcotte ensures that Eddy Toussaint was not directly involved in the preparation of these two shows, even if his name appeared on the poster. She adds that Mr. Toussaint chose to withdraw from his duties following his arrest this summer, although he is still prominently displayed, even today, on the company’s website.
After remaining evasive about its intentions at the start of the week, the dance troupe finally indicated on Wednesday that it will adopt a new name this Sunday in order to mark a distance with its illustrious founder. A decision that is said to have been taken with regret.
“We tell ourselves that it is until the truth is restored. But unfortunately, there may be long-term damage because of the people’s tribunal”, saddens Nathalie Marcotte, who firmly believes in a plot orchestrated by “someone who has already done a lot of harm. in the entourage of Mr. Toussaint”.
Other complaints
The Eddy Toussaint dance school, which moved to Laval in 2016, will also change its name. It currently hosts a hundred students, including several children, but we recognize “a few unsubscriptions” since the case was relayed in the media.
Eddy Toussaint, 76, was charged on July 20 for sexual assault, before being released on conditions. A young dancer in his twenties, who was under his responsibility, accuses him of having pressured him to have sex. The facts date back to between 2015 and 2017, when the alleged victim was trying to break into the professional dance world. The choreographer also faces a second count of sexual assault. He is due back in court on October 5.
Last week, the Service de police de Laval (SPL) released a press release suggesting that Eddy Toussaint could have taken advantage of his position of authority to use the same scheme and have non-consensual sex. The police called on other possible victims to get in touch with them. Since then, the SPL says it has received other complaints, without specifying the number.
Of Haitian origin, Eddy Toussaint is considered a pioneer of ballet in Quebec. He became a real star in the dance world during the 1980s, before leaving to work abroad, in Florida among others. He has been back in Quebec for about ten years.
With Stephanie Marin