Birmingham Royal Ballet — Strictly Dancing / Edward ll
Edward II
Director David Bintley’s astonishing interpretation of Christopher Marlowe’s dark epic is set during a scandalous and merciless era of English history. Exquisite evocations of cruel medieval England are created by John McCabe's score, which brilliantly counterpoints Peter J. Davison's monumental sets. These are reinforced by renowned fashion designer Jasper Conran's lavish and licentious leather costumes.
In this fierce and sadistic atmosphere, Edward makes his first provocative act on becoming king – to recall his male lover, Piers Gaveston, from exile. Quickly enraged by her husband's pampered boyfriend, Edward's wife, Isabella, supports a petition to hunt down and remove Gaveston. But the chase escalates dangerously, resulting in Gaveston's brutal murder. Grief stricken, Edward vows revenge.
David Bintley created Edward II for Stuttgart Ballet in 1995, first staging it for BRB to great critical acclaim in 1997. This eagerly anticipated revival contrasts passages of intense passion and primitivism.
Edward II contains violent and sexually explicit scenes; discretion should be used when bringing young children to these performances.
Nine Sinatra Songs
Seven couples tango, waltz and jive, gloriously celebrating Frank Sinatra, the 1950’s and the seductive thrill of ballroom dancing. Dizzyingly embodying the acrobatic and sensual heights of ballroom style, this widely popular classic by legendary US choreographer, Twyla Tharp, is a modern dance extravaganza.
Daphnis and ChloëThis work represents something of a rarity for Birmingham Royal Ballet, being a Frederick Ashton ballet that the Company haven't danced before. Already being lauded as the personal highlight of the season by many members of the ballet staff, the piece tells the story of the two lovers of the title, and how, with the help of the god Pan, Daphnis saves his sweetheart after she is kidnapped by pirates (see below).
The piece had a particularly complicated birth, with creative input being offered by Sergei Diaghilev, choreographer Mikhail Fokine, and composer Maurice Ravel. Although all had already established names for themselves, they still had much to prove, and while the three shared an overall unified vision, the keenness of each to bring their own elements resulted in regular conflict.
Paquita originally started out as a narrative ballet, telling the story of a Spanish gypsy girl called Paquita, who falls in love with a French nobleman called Lucien. Unfortunately, due to their differences in background and social standing, the two characters are incompatible. Later it is discovered that the gypsies are not her real family, and that they saved her from a pirate massacre when she was just a child. Travelling the country, they find and reunite her with her original family, revealing her to be the daughter of a nobleman, and she and Lucien are united.
Paquita bears many of the hall marks of Marius Pepita, that have made the classical favourite so well-loved; smooth, shimmering moments of pure dance, lushly spectacular climaxes, and demanding steps for everyone involved.
telegraph.co.uk - Mark Monahan reviews Edward II
Find more classes, talks and special events in Sadler's Wells Extras.
How to Find Us
Rosebery Avenue, London, EC1R
