bart Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 On another thread Dr. Coppelius posted a link to a short video of Rudolph Nureyev dancing the Act II pas de deux in Swan Lake with a life size (well, over-size) Miss Piggy. I'd never seen it - and it's brilliant (I think). Here is the LINK: http://www.nemicidimaria.com/VIDEO/EXTRA/Bellissimi.htm The humor is accessible to the general audience, and not over done. But there is also quite a bit of the original choreography (sort of) and some of clever allusions to problems of partnerning, etc. This was NOT your usual ballet parody, though many of those elements are present. I was wondering what others thought of this -- especially the quality of the performance as well as the quality of the humor. Link to comment
Mel Johnson Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 It was a great vaudeville moment. The "class act" crossing over to the comedians. That came at a time in British TV when people were clamoring to get on to this crazy show, and some startling people showed up, doing unexpected things. I don't recall who they got out of the male corps of the Royal to be Miss P., but he wore this incredible full-body (it can't even be called fat anymore) pork suit, and he and Nureyev goofed and improvised in front of the camera until they had as much insanity to cut n' paste into a somewhat coherent number. Link to comment
Alexandra Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 Thanks for this, Bart! Was it Graham Fletcher who played Miss Piggy? That's my (very vague) memory. I remember liking this, when it was first televised, for many of the same reasons that Mel did. Nureyev's "singing" in other bits was another story! Link to comment
Mme. Hermine Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 I believe it was Graham Fletcher, though for a long time I thought it was Wayne Sleep. Link to comment
Mel Johnson Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 Too big for Wayne Sleep. That was part of the gag. Whoever it was said that the Piggy fullbody suit was "like being in a sauna." Link to comment
canbelto Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 I especially loved Nureyev's parody of the male dancer opening his arms to end/begin a pdd. I doubly loved it when he honked Piggy's nose. It's one of tv's most adorable moments, I think. Link to comment
JaneD Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 It was indeed Graham Fletcher, and he was proud of it. It appeared in his ROH biography for some years. JaneD (who was taught by him - just once) Link to comment
dirac Posted January 25, 2006 Share Posted January 25, 2006 Much obliged for the info, JaneD. Link to comment
taoofpooh Posted October 23, 2006 Share Posted October 23, 2006 Are you sure it was a guy?? I thought Miss Piggy was on pointe?? It is on Youtube. Link to comment
Mme. Hermine Posted October 23, 2006 Share Posted October 23, 2006 Most definitely a man! Link to comment
Treefrog Posted October 23, 2006 Share Posted October 23, 2006 Is there a more current link? The one given last January is not working today. Link to comment
Mme. Hermine Posted October 23, 2006 Share Posted October 23, 2006 Don't know, but as the clip in question is from the Muppet Show, it was probably taken down for copyright violation. I think it's probably available on video, though, and there are probably photos around on the internet. Link to comment
Mme. Hermine Posted October 23, 2006 Share Posted October 23, 2006 http://muppet.wikia.com/images/3/32/Rudolfnureyev.jpg don't know if this link violates anything but mods please take it down if it does? Link to comment
Mme. Hermine Posted October 23, 2006 Share Posted October 23, 2006 Actually there is an official page with photos and background information on this episode: http://www.muppetcentral.com/guides/episod...7_nureyev.shtml A beautiful princess has been turned into a pig by the wicked magician, Trichinosis what a great line! Link to comment
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