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." ************************* 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 *************************** 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>
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