The theatrical costume is a paradox: it hides, yet at the same time, communicates revealing aspects of a character; it is made to be seen from afar, yet the designers and costume makers care for the tiniest details, even if invisible. Each costume contains thousands of secrets, from colour combining to decoration, from the choice of a fabric to the technique to create a form. … [Read more...]
Interview with The Royal Ballet’s Merle Park in 1979: Green Park, Hyde Park or Merle Park?
Merle Park, the engine driver’s daughter from Rhodesia (modern Zimbabwe), ended up being one of The Royal Ballet’s brightest stars. She says that she first realised she’d become famous when she heard a question on a quiz game on the radio: “Which is the odd name out: Green Park, Hyde Park or Merle Park?” I thought, Goodness, I must have arrived! In 1979, she was contemplating … [Read more...]
Tamara Karsavina compares Rudolf Nureyev and Vaslav Nijinsky
Rudolf Nureyev defected to the West in 1961 and later that same year he danced with Margot Fonteyn for the first time, and the following year he joined The Royal Ballet. In 1963, the BBC asked the great Tamara Karsavina to comment on the new Russian dancer and compare him with her Ballets Russes partner Vaslav Nijinsky.Karsavina and Nijinsky had joined Diaghilev's troupe … [Read more...]
Bolshoi Ballet’s Vladislav Lantratov on the cancelling of Nureyev: There is nothing worse for an artist…
On 8 July, after the dress rehearsal of the Bolshoi Ballet’s ambitious new ballet on the life of Rudolf Nureyev, the premiere was cancelled. Vladislav Lantratov was to have played Nureyev and, stunned by the announcement, wrote on Instagram,Нет слов...... понимание что ты только полюбил роль, начал вживаться в спектакль, всё начало складываться... и в секунду, вот эту … [Read more...]
Nicolas Le Riche appointed head of the Royal Swedish Ballet
Nicolas Le Riche will direct the Royal Swedish Ballet beginning autumn 2017. He has signed a five-year contract with the Royal Swedish Opera and will arrive in Stockholm mid-August.Birgitta Svendén, CEO of the Royal Swedish Opera, said, I am very proud to present Nicolas Le Riche as the new ballet director for the Royal Swedish Opera. He has the right qualities and … [Read more...]