The Grand Theatre is delighted to bring one of Russia’s most acclaimed ballet companies back to Blackpool following a fantastic 2011 season. The Russian State Ballet and Orchestra of Siberia will perform La Fille mal gardée on 6th January, Nutcracker on 7th January and Swan Lake on 8th January.
Recreated by Alexander Gorsky, La Fille mal gardée remains one of the oldest ballets still regularly performed.La Fille mal gardée tells of the love between Lise and Colas, and Lise’s efforts to thwart her possessive mother’s plans to marry her to a rich but unattractive vineyard owner! Featuring comedy, drama and beautiful virtuoso dancing, these excerpts will give you a taste of the whole ballet, including the flute dance, Fanny Elsler pas de deux and the famous clog dance.
In a new, magical production of Nutcracker this most famous of fantasy ballets opens as night falls on a traditional fireside scene on Christmas Eve. On the stroke of midnight we are transported to an enchanting world where nothing is as it seems. Toy dolls come to life, an army of soldiers does battle with a gang of mice and a Nutcracker is transformed into a handsome prince.
A seasonal favourite, Tchaikovsky’s music is some of the most instantly memorable of all ballet, with a wealth of famous melodies including the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.
The greatest romantic ballet of all, Swan Lake, is an immortal love story filled with magic, emotion and beauty.
A timeless tale of good vs evil, Prince Siegfried battles to save the beautiful Swan Princess, Odette, from the clutches of the evil sorcerer Von Rothbart.
From the opulence and splendour of the magnificent court room to the exhilarating lake scenes where swans play in perfect formation, Tchaikovsky’s hauntingly beautiful music creates an unforgettable experience.
Formed in 1981, The Russian State Ballet of Siberia has quickly established itself as one of Russia’s leading ballet companies and has built an international reputation for delivering performances of outstanding quality and unusual depth. The soloists and corps de ballet are superb, and never fail to delight audiences with their breathtaking physical ability and dazzling costumes.
La Fille mal gardée comes to The Grand Theatre on Friday 6th January, Nutcracker will be performed on Saturday 7th January and Swan Lake on Sunday 8th January. Tickets start from just £20.
Don’t forget! The Russian State Ballet and Orchestra of Siberia returns to the Grand Theatre in March with Sleeping Beauty and Giselle.
Ballet facts:
La Fille mal gardée
• Chickens have long been associated with productions of Fille and the 1885 staging for the Imperial Ballet featured live chickens.
• While the Royal Ballet’s production of Fille is traditionally staged in 2 acts, on tour this is expanded into 3 because of complicated changes in settings.
• Ashton’s Maypole dance has been reduced in length since the ballet’s first staging but no other scene has ever been altered.
Nutcracker
• Nutcracker premiered at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg on 18 December 1892. It was performed along with Tchaikovsky's opera, Iolanta.
• The Sugar Plum Fairy's dance with the Prince is probably the most famous pas de deux (dance for two) in ballet.
• Tchaikovsky was asked to use the celesta, a new instrument, to make the music for the Sugar Plum Fairy sound like the "sprays of a fountain."
Swan Lake
• Although it is now widely known as one of the world’s most popular ballets Swan Lake was very poorly received by critics at its opening performance in 1877.
• Since its revival performance in 1885 Swan Lake has rarely been off stage around the world.
• In 2002 Graeme Murphy’s version of Swan Lake was loosely based on the ‘love triangle’ between Princess Diana, Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles.
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