CriticalDance Forum

From the ROH E-mail press release

TRIPLE BILL
DANSES CONCERTANTES, THE JUDAS TREE, GLORIA
as part of the international celebration of Kenneth MacMillan

29, 30 April, 2, 3, 8, 9, 14 May

Kenneth MacMillan's contribution to The Royal Ballet is immeasurable. This Triple Bill features three one act works that show the depth and wealth of his talent.

Danses concertantes was Kenneth MacMillan's first commissioned work and also marked the beginning of his lifelong collaboration with Nicholas Georgiadis. Set to Stravinsky's score, the ballet requires total precision that matches and complements the complexity of the music, with its sudden shifts in metre and tone. In 1991 MacMillan asked Ian Spurling to create new designs for the ballet. For this programme, the revival of Danses concertantes will recreate the original Georgiadis designs.

MacMillan's profoundly moving Gloria, set to Francis Poulenc's Gloria in D major used Vera Brittain's Testament of Youth as its inspiration. Created for The Royal Ballet and first performed on 13 March 1980 this powerful and elegiac work mourns the waste of young lives in the trenches during the First World War. Andy Klunder's designs are a distinctly abstract depiction of the period providing a stark and strangely ethereal view of the desolation of the First World War.

The Laurence Olivier Award winning The Judas Tree, premiered on 19 March 1992, was MacMillan's last work for The Royal Ballet. Brian Elias' commissioned score was created independently of any scenario or characterisation from MacMillan, a process that was to drive the ballet rather than illustrate it. Using Jock McFadyn's designs The Judas Tree is set on a building site using Canary Wharf as its backdrop. It is a highly charged ballet of betrayal and sexual violence, a resounding condemnation of humanity's flaws.

Deborah MacMillan says: "I am delighted that The Royal Ballet have decided to reconsider the contribution that the Company is making to the International Celebration of Kenneth MacMillan. The programme that replaces The Prince of the Pagodas incorporates key works from the beginning and end of his career alongside one of his great choral works."

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CASTS

In this order, Dances Concertantes / The Judas Tree / Gloria

29 April, 2, 8 May
Morera, Sasaki, Kobborg / Mukhamedov, Galeazzi, Watson / Acosta, Tapper, Urlezaga

30 April, 3 May
Rojo, Harvey, Cereva / Cope, Nunez, Stepanek / Watson, Oughtred, Sasaki

9 May
Rojo, Harvey, Cerevera / Mukhamedov, Galeazzi, Watson / Watson, Oughtred, Sasaki

14 May
Morera, Sasaki, Kobborg / Cope, Nunez, Stepanek / Acosta, Tapper, Urlezaga

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Other events

For Friends
Rehearsal
Monday 28 April, 11:30am

For Everyone
Pre-Performance Talk
Friday 2nd May 6:30-7:00pm
Clore Studio Upstairs

<small>[ 25 April 2003, 10:58 AM: Message edited by: sylvia ]</small>

Natasha Oughtred and Yohei Sasaki replace Benjamin and Tewsley in Gloria. Have made the edits above.

<small>[ 30 January 2003, 04:28 PM: Message edited by: sylvia ]</small>

Latest cast change. Marianela Nunez replaces Mara Galeazzi in the role of The Woman at the following performances of The Judas Tree: 30 April, 3 and 14 May.

From the ROH website.

Have amended the cast list above.

Another cast change from the ROH website.

Laura Morera and Yohei Sasaki are replacing Miayko Yoshida and Nathan Coppen in Dances Concertantes. Have made amendments.