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Sarah Frater's rating
Diaghilev gala makes a chore out of choreography
By
Sarah Frater
8 Jun 2009
A tribute gala to Serge Diaghilev is as much a rebuke of our times as a celebration of his. The Russian impresario came to Europe 100 years ago, trailing glamour and talent and umpteen new ballets.
Many are cornerstones of today’s rep, which only reminds you how few we’re creating for tomorrow.
This couldn’t be clearer than in the ballet Tamar. The original by Mikhail Fokine, Diaghilev’s choreographer in the pre-WWI era, has been reimagined by Jurijus Smoriginas, and it’s a stretch and pump piece so dull you fear for the future of ballet.
Happily, the extract programme featured mostly Diaghilev originals, and these are worth seeing. There were ballets little performed in London, like Le Tricorne and Le Carnaval, as well as familiar Diaghilev works that bear repeated viewing (Apollo, Les Biches). And then there was the starry roster of dancers from St Petersburg, Paris, and our own Royal Ballet including Ulyana Lopatkina, Mathias Heymann, Tamara Rojo, Dmitri Gudanov, Marianela Nunez and Andrei Batalov — even if we’re not producing the work, we can still produce the dancers.
Arguably, the programme was unevenly weighted to Fokine when Nijinsky, his sister Nijinska and Balanchine left just as radical a choreographic heritage. They were also squeezed by the inclusion of extracts from classics such as Swan Lake — Diaghilev popularised all Russian ballet, not just his own, but you can see Swan Lake anywhere.
Also so-so was the opening film segment (poor quality, poorly edited). Still, a reminder of Diaghilev’s legacy.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Reader views (3)
I agree with Jacqueline Staging was underwhelming and it looked like some amateurs had thought the Gala idea up after a liquid lunch. Putting together a few pairs of top dancers does not guarantee an excellent evening if there is no artistic direction. Why put a dancer's photo on the front of programme when he is not appearing? Very surprised that RB dancers participate in such a second division event and it certainly was exhorbitantly priced.
- Rebecca, Richmond Surrey, 10/06/2009 17:38
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Not a very exciting evening,disappointing given the exhorbitant ticket prices.The opening overdone voiceover was a mistake,did we need to be told who Diaghilev was(if you did,why were you there)and the film,though quite interesting,couldve been more artfully segued into the live dancing.Instead,there was a long,silent pause.Indeed,there were quite a few during the evening and what was up[and down] with the curtains?closing as dancers walked forward to take a bow etc.In part two,they seemed to dispense with the curtains altogether.Some of the dance pieces were an odd choice,some were plain dull.Never thought I could be bored by Kusnetsov!Obviously it is impractical to have much scenery with so many different pieces,but with one or two exceptions when something was wheeled on,the plain backdrop detracted from the action.Some imaginative lighting would have helped.I agree with Holly,it was more of an social event than an artistic evening and surprisingly amateur in presentation.I wouldn't go to anything else like this.
- Jacqueline, chesterfield england, 09/06/2009 12:49
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It was a bit dull not an inspiring and thrilling evening and some of those advertised to appear didn't. More an evening out for those who were interestsd in the drinks reception and dinner with a bit of ballet in a nice venue than an artistic experience.
- Holly, London, 09/06/2009 09:25
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