spotlight When you think of French history, chances are there are certain things
that immediately jump to mind. The florid excess of French paintings, curvaceous gilded furniture, elaborate wigs, the excessively embellished costumes of the era, the Louvre’s many iterations and the elaborate architecture including the many lush palaces and châteaus constructed during the reigns of Louis XIII (1610–43) and Louis XIV (1643–1715). Even if you aren’t well-versed on the period, one thing sure to stand out
as a beacon of wealth and power in the French Court and emblem of the era’s beautiful excesses, it would be the Palace of Versailles. The Château de Versailles, became the royal seat of power in 1682 when Louis XIV made the bold decision to move the French court there from Paris. In doing so, he centralized his control and greatly expanded his power base. An expansion symbolized by his obsession with Versailles and the continuous construc- tion there during his reign. Representing his singular determination to create a beacon for absolute French power and the Ancien Régime of his monarchy. Not exactly the setting one might look to, for a love story between two men, now is it?
ersailles, the namesake new series on Ovation, will change the way you see French history and those who lived within, from an entirely new perspective. Elegant and excessive stories beauti- fully characterized and gorgeously rendered featuring court life, as well as the many intrigues and maneuverings of those close to Louis XIV, his brother and close confidant, Philippe I, Duke of Orléans, known to him simply as “Monsieur.” Richly told, in some of the most glorious settings imaginable, the passionate loves, carnal lusts and indulgent excesses of the two brothers are brought to life in a way that is both over-the-top and at the same time all together human. Central to the series as well, is the life long relationship between Philippe [Monsieur] and Chevalier de Lorraine, offered unapologetically, as any of the other love stories within the series. Beautifully represented by two actors, Evan Williams [Chevalier] and Alexander Vlahos
[Philippe/Monsieur], viewers get to knowthe two lovers as they promenade through the tale of Louis XIV’s court and revel in the glory that is Versailles. Here is the story of Alex and Evan and Monsieur and Chevalier. Alex [Monsieur] grew up in South Wales in a place called Llantrisant, where
he started acting in school. “I got into acting through, liking attention I guess, sort of as every young boy does. (Laughs) In my drama school, there were a lot of girls taking drama and I was the only boy, so that was sort of my first little jump into it. I’m a keen sports player and a massive ice hockey fan and played for ten years. When I came to 18, I had sort of a crossroads junction in my career, to go off and continue to play ice hockey or go on to drama school and be an actor; I decided to go down the thespian route.” Evan [Chevalier] began acting in school as well, though his start was in Western Canada. “I started in musical theatre and in choir, doing that stuff. I moved to Toronto to get a degree in acting and stayed there for about seven years. Then I moved down here [L.A.] about five years ago.”
22 RAGE monthly | OCTOBER 2016
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