pasmaroo

Setting aside the concept, what do you think of the choreography per se?

The choreography not only stays in tune with the storyline without detracting from it but also serves well in developing the characters. But I would not have said the same thing about the choreography in other ballets he has had a hand in. I think with Swan Lake he "hit the mark" well. One might argue that his choreography in Swan Lake winning a couple of awards, is testament to that.

I never tire of seeing Swan Lake in its traditional form and would always prefer it to any other interpretation.

Graeme Murphy's Swan Lake explores different concepts and promotes a different perspective that I find has served to enhance my enjoyment not only of Swan Lake itself but ballet in general.

His interpretation of The Nutcracker illustrates my point, for those of us Downunder.

I attended the Adelaide, July 16th performance of Graeme Murphy's "The Silver Rose" by The Australian Ballet Company and had my thirst for ballet quenched once again.

Is is far from being a classical ballet (and I may be bias) but then it was never meant to be. It is one of those productions that you will either love and enjoy immensely or have reservations about it.

My party sat in the second row and centre of stage. From our vantage point I had nothing but admiration for what I was sensing visually.

It was a predominantly "white" set with matching costumes that contrasted ever so perfectly in color and design to the opulently designed art nouveau stage. If there are any criticisms concerning the technicalities or interpretation of the story behind the ballet they certainly would have been overshadowed by what was literally a spectacular, opulent and extravagant stage and costume setting.

On the evening I attended, Robyn Hendricks played the part of Sophie, betrothed to Baron Ochs (Ben Davis.) What a delight it was to watch Sophie go though an emotional roller caster ride to eventually end up with the man she really wanted to be with (and it wasn't Baron Ochs.) Equally impressive was Rudy Hawkes (Octavian, the young lover) and I am sure that there may have been some women in the theatre who were not concerning themselves as much with his expertise and marvelous performance on his feet as they were by his semi-naked body and obvious pecs.

My evening was an enjoyable one and to my mind worthwhile seeing again although in hindsight I felt that in a couple of spots during the performance the storyline didn't seem logically placed.

I think that most of us are waiting with eager anticipation for Graeme Murphy's "Silver Rose," that is, to arrive in my city. It has had favorable reviews in other cities around Australia as it had when it was staged overseas not so long ago.

Certainly, some critics are divided in opinion about Murphy's interpretation of some of the more classical ballets he has presented and personally I had a little trouble adjusting to them even though Nutcracker had a truly "Aussie Flavour" to it.

However, the Silver Rose has been declared in the press as Murphy's greatest work, a "masterpiece" and with my tickets in hand booked for the 8th row and centre spot, I await its arrival to my city.

G'day,

Have been searching for an Australian distributor to purchase the DVD "Nutcracker - The True Story." Also, I have written to the DVD's producers that are overseas but didn't get much joy from them. Anyone able to assist me with this?

Pas

G'day,

Well, I did eventually see the Imperial Russian Ballet’s performance of Swan Lake this past weekend and the two Jester’s were such a treat.

Of course, my question that prompted this thread was indeed answered. Anastasia Homitskaya had performed the series of fouettes. After I counted 28 the audience began to cheer and applaud, that’s when I lost count but do believe she did achieve 32.

The Black Swan PDD became a memorable moment; in fact it is the whole Act this is in that stands out for me.

It was a group of six of us that travelled Interstate to see it and make a weekend of it over 1,000 kilometres from home. All had such a great time at the ballet and particularly in one of Australia’s grandest theatres located in Sydney, The State Theatre.

I wonder if others from this forum have attended any of the Imperial Russian Ballet’s performances while they are touring here in Australia.

Speaking of which, I managed to get a hold of “Baron At The Ballet,” which considering the year it was published I felt fortunate for this to have fallen in my lap.

I had read and seen photographs here and there about the dancers of that period, especially in recent times with various Ballets Russes exhibitions that had been held locally.

But, to have a compilation of photographs, that portray the dancers of that time, all in one book makes it such a treasure to have in the bookcase.

There is an alluring element to these “archaic” type photographs particularly because they are in black and white and because you know almost every photo is “telling” a story.

Of course, the commentary simply adds to the delight of the photos.

It was interesting to read the introduction as it gave an excellent insight into one man’s thinking and attitude about the ballet scene of his day.

I saw three performances of SL by the IRB past July in Barcelona -the first time I've seen ballet live in my life- and they did conform to Petipa's choreography, so the 32 fouetés are to be expected.

I didn't count the actual number of turns, however.

Thanks Sunday and the first time I saw this routine I became mesmerized by it.

G'day,

It has been interesting surfing through the various topics and exploring the views and comments of others.

We don't get a lot of ballet performances in my city, consequently I travel interstate with a group of others to see ballet performances and we all generally make a weekend of it.

Thanks for the opportunity to be a part of this site.

The Imperial Russian Ballet was originally called Pilgrim and presented either gala programmes... I saw them dance Swan Lake (in Marbella of all places) a couple of years ago...

Thank You Mashinka. And I look forward to seeing them perform here in Australia next month.

cubanmiamiboy you are correct with regards to, "...digging here and there about the different variations..."

Misinformation and confusion can be such a dangerous thing, thanks for the explanation which has shed a little more light on it for me.

I must admit, I had to have a bit of a chuckle at your post Simon, particularly the synopsis which I found quite amusing. Your descriptive ways are an "eye opener."

You are correct in your suggestion that I am "green" as I have only discovered ballet in recent times, fell in love with it and I take any opportunity I can to see it. So, my knowledge and history is not extensive by no means, thus I stand corrected on any statement I made while referring back to your query, RG, re: the "Grand Coda of the Grand Pas de six."

What is it that I am thinking of here? Perhaps this is the section of the score where I had believed the 32 fouettes are performed.

Simon, your remarks about The Imperial Russian Ballet has led me to seek a little more info about the point you were making regarding, "...after glasnost..." and, I am slowly starting to understand that indeed as you put it so eloquently...LOL, that some choreographers, "...bludgeon it [swan Lake] into submission..."

Though I did see Graeme Murphy's version, I was never prepared to actually pay the money to see it and I had always refused to see what Matthew Bourne had done to it.

Not sure if you are aware of Graeme Murphy's version of The Nutcracker which has got a very distinctive Aussie flavour to it. For me, watching it was like seeing Pavarotti sliding across an open door way in white socks and shirt miming to the song "Old Time Rock And Roll." Some how, it just doesn't gel, risky business, that is!

But, here in Australia and particularly in some States and cities the ballet or ballet companies do not frequently visit and added to this, Aussies tend to be a little more layback and less conservative so I believe they will support a ballet (any ballet) deviating from the original.

I don't think we have the same "level" of culture or finesse as do the American or European ballet fraternities. It is not unusual to witness patrons dressed in T-Shirts, jeans and thongs at the ballet much to the disgust of some others who are beautifully and elegantly dressed and are a sight for sore eyes.

G'day,

I have seen Swan Lake performed many times in 4 Acts. I am about to see the Imperial Russian Ballet perform Swan Lake and for the first time for me, I will see it in 3 Acts. However, my curiosity has the better of me.

In understanding that there can be variations to the structure of any ballet from one choreographer and ballet company to another I ask the following question.

In the 3 Act presentation of Swan Lake by the Imperial Russian Ballet are the 32 fouettés and thus the Grand Coda of the Grand Pas de six included in their structure of their performance?

PASmaroo