GISELLE (BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET) Review June 2013

First performed by the Birmingham Royal Ballet in October 1999, what producer David Bintley describes as a proper Giselle, is resurected once more. 

The curtain rises on a quaint little village in the mountains, complete with waterfall. As with all of their productions, BRB's beautiful sets (this designed by Hayden Griffin) are most magical. With the warm, fairytale feel of a pantomime but the realism and detail of the finest photograph you could stare for hours just at the scenery. 

 

Iain Mackay and Jenna Roberts (By Roy Smiljanic) 

It is of course the world-class ballet that you have ultimately come to see and Jenna Roberts who leads as Giselle has quite a story to tell. Giselle and Loys are deeply in love. Loys has not been truthful and is actually Count Albrecht, son of the local lord and is already betrothed to Bathilde - a lady and his social equal. When a jealous Hilarion (a rival for Giselle's hand) proves who Loys really is and Bathilde arrives to claim him, the heartbreak is too much for Giselle who takes her own life. 

Iain Mackay and Jenna Roberts (By Roy Smiljanic) 

Much more dramatic than BRB's last offering of Coppélia the first act passes at the blink of an eye. The intensity of both the story and dazzling choreography are more than enough to keep an audience fixated to the stage. Iain Mackay as the handsome Count Albrecht shows off his incredible elevation and more than once received applause mid-routine. Tyrone Singleton proves his versatility in characterisation - his Hilarion is a far cry from Coppélia's Hans but danced with equal passion. The Harvest Pas De Deux  of Momoko Hirata and Tzu-Chao Chou is also a definite highlight.

Momoko Hirata and Tzu-Chao Chou (By Roy Smiljanic) 

A beautiful production, even in death - the haunting and gothic second act is graceful and is something of a visual spectacle. Also, the presence of a magnificent white horse is but one example of the extreme lengths this company go to impress. World class company and orchestra - another unmissable classic ballet at the Birmingham Hippodrome until Saturday 22nd June 2013. Book here. 

(Information on booking for the 2013/14 season at the end of Coppélia review.) 

COPPÉLIA (BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET) Review June 2013

3rd March, 1995 - this production of Coppélia is first performed by the Birmingham Royal Ballet at the Birmingham Hippodrome. 6th June, 2013 - I see it for the very first time. Some 18 years on from it's premiere in the same venue there was barely a seat in the house left unoccupied. 

This is the story of Franz who falls for Coppélia, a doll left on a balcony by toymaker Dr Coppélius. Much to his fiancée Swanilda's anger, she and her friends enter the workshop and ultimately cause chaos in an attempt to distract Coppélius who is using Franz in an attempt to give life to his beloved doll. 

Previous Cast Photography - Birmingham Royal Ballet

Rory Mackay is delightful as Dr Coppélius, the bumbling character role that provides not only humour but plenty of charm as he works his magic upon the doll, or at least what he believes is the doll. Swanilda swaps positions with Coppélia's and is danced by Ambra Vallo gracefully throughout. All eyes are on her as not only does she execute the most remarkable footwork but her expression is incredibly transfixing and enough to tell a story alone. Tyrone Singleton is lover Franz and commands the stage  - a definite display of strength and control proving to be a technically assured principal.

Choreographed by Peter Wright, this 18-year-old production is in no way dated. The story is just as enchanting as it always was but there is a fresh and exciting vibe that turns the Birmingham Hippodrome into a land of magic and fantasy for it's duration.

What also goes a long way to help the production's breathtaking values is the incredible scenery and costumes by Peter Farmer. We have of course come to see the ballet, not particularly it's surroundings but the three lavish settings really are a spectacle. The Birmingham Royal Ballet orchestra is most impressive and fill the auditorium with a rich sound of Léo Delibes score.

Combine every element of the Birmingham Royal Ballet and it is clear just why they are considered among the best in the world. It is most heartening to know that such a wonderful company have their home here - one of Birmingham's many assets.

Coppélia is true joy. An dazzling and spectacular vision of love without a word uttered. Beautiful.

Watch Coppélia in rehearsals:

Book tickets for Coppélia which runs unil Saturday (8th June) here. You can also book for Birmingham Royal Ballet's future productions: Giselle (BOOK), 'Still Life' At The Penguin Café (BOOK), The Sleeping Beauty (BOOK), The Nutcracker (BOOK), Three Of A Kind (BOOK), The Prince Of The Pagodas (BOOK), Darkness And Light (BOOK) and La Fille Mal Gardee (BOOK).

For prioity booking and discounts, become a Friend of the Birmingham Royal Ballet. Click here for more information.

COPPÉLIA: THE RUSSIAN STATE BALLET OF SIBERIA (UK Tour) February 2013

The Russian State Ballet of Siberia are currently touring the UK with four classic ballets. They present at least two different ballets at each venue across an extensive tour of the UK. Wolverhampton audiences are treated to The Nutcracker, Coppélia and Swan Lake.

Coppélia is a comic ballet and tells the story of Franz, a village swain who becomes infatuated by a life-like doll, made by the toymaker Dr Coppélius. Franz casts aside Swanhilde, his true hearts desire until she disguises herself as the doll and saves Franz from the hands of the toymaker.

This is a ballet in two acts, but like a lot of ballets, the story is more or less finished at the close of Act I.

What was most welcoming and heartwarming upon entering the auditorium was the sound of a live orchestra tuning up. In an age where pre-recorded music is all too easy and saves a lot of money it is clear that this company embrace tradition. The curtain rose on a quaint village, full of villagers going about their day - it reminds you of the scene inside those large village clocks with the little clockwork people inside, spinning around.

We are soon introduced to Franz (19 year old Kirill Bulychev) and his lover Swanilda (Elena Pogorelaya) who both impress throughout with the finest of technique. Soon after their initial playful dance, Coppélia the doll is revealed in the window, at least for half of the audience. The window was on such an angle that anyone in the centre of the auditorium and further right could not see her. She soon became the focus of everyone's attention as we moved into the toymaker Coppélius' house.

Dr Coppélius (Alexander Kuimov)  appears in the doorway and at first perhaps unrecognisable could well have been mistaken for the Child-catcher who later resembled Professor Snape with the hairdo of Tracy Turnblad. However odd the appearance, he did make up in movement and was commanding of the stage.

The Corps De Ballet are a very young group, no less disciplined and very enjoyable to watch. Their presentation of Alexander Gorsky and Gennady Malkhasiants choreography was most endearing.

The UK Tour of the Russian State Ballet Company continues until 23rd March, more details here.

LES BALLETS TROCKADERO DE MONTE CARLO (UK Tour) Review February 2013

Les ballets Trocks montrer ce soir à l'hippodrome de Birmingham était fantastique! Une super soirée au théâtre ... Oh who am I kidding? My knowledge of the French language is as poor as my understanding of the ballet, but I'm getting there... What I can do however is appreciate the art form, and I find it most enjoyable - particularly this, an all-male company, on pointé presenting Les Sylphides, Black Swan Pas de Deux, La Vivandiere Pas de Six, Dying Swan and Walpurgis Night. The programme varies by venue with Swan Lake Act II and Le Grand Pas de Quarte also part of some performances.

Founded in 1974 by a group of ballet enthusiasts for the purpose of presenting a playful, entertaining view of traditional, classical ballet in parody form and en travesti (portrayal of the opposite sex), the 'Trocks' as they are affectionately called have quickly become internationally known.

A pre-show announcement unlike any other announces last minute cast changes with performers named Sonia Leftova, Marina Plezegetovstageskaya and Stanislas Kokitch setting the tone for the evening ahead.

Les Sylphides

The curtain rises on Les Sylphides which I now understand to be the first abstract classical ballet, a ballet blanc which is without narrative structure or defined characters - which is good, because I couldn't find a narrative. What was clear however was the jealously between the white clad Sylphs which resulted in a diva'ish standoff between dancers. Each ballerina upstaged the other in some exaggerated or ludicrous way yet all whilst executing the most controlled and perfected technique.

Black Swan Pas de Deux

Next is the Pas de Deux from the third act of Swan Lake. More so than the first excerpt, this is where the skill of these men is recognised. Odile danced by Chase Johnsey as Yakatarina Verbosovich is mesmerising. At times you cease to see the male and accept that what you are watching is a world class ballet, which of course you are... until perhaps the prima waves and winks at you.

The Dying Swan

Paul Ghiselin joined Trockadero in May 1995 and with nearly two decades to perfect his Trock he steals the show portraying Ida Nevasayneva as the Dying Swan. With feathers aplenty falling ceaselessly from his tutu, this swan's final dance is something of a spectacle.

After a second interval the final scene is Walpurgis Night in which we see a celebration, Nymphs and Maidens coming together with Fauns. It makes for a beautiful finale. There is an encore which involves removal of the pointé shoes and finds another use for them.

The Birmingham Hippodrome's press trip to France allowed them to share the backstage routine of a Trock as he transforms:

Transforming into a Trock (Birmingham Hippodrome)

After only two nights at the Birmingham Hippodrome, the Trocks continue a UK tour until May before embarking on a journey across America. Whilst in Birmingham on the 1st February the Trocks' open rehearsal was streamed live and if you missed it you can watch the footage here.

Look familiar?

Any chance to see the Trocks is rare, and the opportunity shouldn't be missed - the most entertaining night at the ballet, ever.

SWAN LAKE [English Youth Ballet] (Wolverhampton Grand Theatre) September 2012

The English Youth Ballet brought their new £50,000 production of Swan Lake to Wolverhampton this weekend. This production combines tradition with reality but with particular emphasis on the rivalry between the seductive evil Black Swan Odile and the beautiful but vulnerable White Swan Odette. There were eight international principal dancers and over one hundred young dancers from the region making up the cast. The young corps de ballet came together for a very small rehearsal period of under two weeks before the opening night of Swan Lake on Friday 21st September in Wolverhampton.

Having grown up in a dance school, surrounded by ballet for many years I ought to know and understand this form of dance better than I do. I might not have been able to comment on some of the more technical elements, but as a spectacle the show was truly amazing. Amazing to see such young dancers that were so passionate for the art form that ballet is. Enthusiasm and precision of skill was shown from them all. The choreography of Dominic Marshall was both exciting and clever. The size of the cast meant that at times the stage was full, leaving little room to actually dance. Instead, interesting and complex patters and position changes kept the audience engaged. The costumes were clearly a huge chunk of the £50,000 budget. They were nothing less than beautiful.

Principal dancers Julianne Rice-Oxley, Oliver Speers and Emma Lister were all effortless in their elegance. The Pas de deux of Act III between Princess Odile and Prince Sergei was in particular the most mesmerising. The show led to a dramatic final sequence that prompted the rapturous applause the children deserved after what was a heartwarming and truly enjoyable performance.

More ballet to visit the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre this season is Angelina Ballerina The Mousical (BOOK: http://grandtheatre.info/WhatsOn_focus.asp?ShowId=634&sC=page46) and the Russian State Ballet of Siberia with The Nutcracker, Coppélia and Swan Lake (BOOK: http://grandtheatre.info/WhatsOn_focus.asp?ShowId=636&sC=page46)