Recent history/THE TALES OF BEATRIX POTTER

[rg]

to elaborate my TALES OF BEATRIX POTTER post and ashton's dancing as Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, fyi, a still from the film, which captures him amid the step's développé portion:

[Hans]

Thank you for this hysterical picture, rg. It's not every day you get to see a choreographic genius cross-dressing as a hedgehog!

[Giannina]

This is eerie but Ashton's legs and feet are actually recognizable...from the DVD of his portrayal of one of Cinderella's step-sisters.

Giannina

[Juliet]

Yes, he was always highly individual! On the recently released DVD of Cinderella with Fonteyn, the Sisters are danced by Kenneth Macmillan and Ashton. It is worth the price of the film for their portrayals alone---interestingly changed from the later one with Helpmann and Ashton.

Although many people do not care for it, I find the Tales a charming ballet. Although I have seen it live, I think that it was much better as a film. It is readily (and inexpensively) available on DVD. Some wonderful dancing, from Wayne Sleep (Nutkin), Alexander Grant (Pigling Bland), Michael Coleman (Jeremy Fisher) and a host of other great characterizations under all the animal trappings (Lesley Collier/Hunca Munca smashing a concrete ham is quite wonderful!) Costumes are extraordinary.

A companion book, (by Rumer Godden, no less,) called a Tale of the Tales is great fun---sometimes available on eBay, or through libraries.

Fun for the summertime!

[Pamela Moberg]

"Tales" is indeed wonderful. A work of art in its own way. I have never seen it on stage, but the Swedish State television has had the good taste to show it every year for Christmas. My daughters used to love it, we bought our first video recorder in 1981, so of course I recorded it. They used to view it so often that come the fall, the tape began to show signs of wear and I made a habit of doing a new recording every Christmas.

And there certainly are some glorious moments, I think the fandango on top of the table is my own favorite. Not to mention Black Berkshire Pig, danced by Brenda Last who used to take class with Madame Nordi when I went there. She was such a talented dancer and a lovely person.

After all there viewings when the girls were young, I still take it out at times and I enjoy it as much as the first time. You can always discover small details you hadnt noticed before.

[Juliet]

I still watch it too! My children loved it when they were young, as well---I also think Lanchbery did a marvellous job with the music.....And thank you for reminding me about Brenda Last--I thought she was superb, but was too lazy to go downstairs, get my book, and look up her name. If you love this ballet, I highly recommend the book. I got mine on eBay.

[Pamela Moberg]

Thanks a lot, Julie, for telling me about the book, I didnt even know of it.

I am planning a trip to Edinburgh to see the exhibition "End of an empire: tsar's lavish life on show". There might be something about ballet, though I doubt it. Anyway, it will sure be an interesting exhibition.

Every time I go to England I love to browse book stores (you should see similar establishments in this country...), so I will certainly buy it there. After the success with the TV movie, lots of Potteriana was issued - though not as bad as with Harry Potter, of course. My daughters have a comprehensive selection, and so do I.

Not a bad thing, imagine that people in general were influenced to buy the stuff after having seen of all things a BALLET. One can hardly believe it is true.

Didnt mean to sound so sarcastic, but when one has reached a certain age one begins to despair.