If you hurry you could perhaps get tickets to see Giselle at the Grand Theatre in Blackpool on Monday, 19th March 2012!The wonderful Russian State Ballet of Siberia returned to the Grand Theatre for their second visit this year to perform Sleeping Beauty.
This is a delightful, magical ballet, closely following the fairytale of the King and Queen who forgot to invite one of the fairies to the christening of their baby daughter Princess Aurora. The lights go down in the auditorium, the orchestra (complete with harp on one end and four, huge drums on the other - completely filling the width of the stage) stand as one and the Musical Director comes in, bows to the audience and the Overture begins. Tchaikovsky's beautiful score does not age. the story is magical and what is there not to like in classical ballet with beautiful costumes, athletic dancers, clever lighting, amazing choreography, wonderful music and of course the iconic setting that is Blackpool's Grand Theatre.
We are very lucky that the Grand Theatre, Blackpool is on the extensive list of theatres visited by the Russian State Ballet of Siberia. How they do it I just don't know but I am so very glad they do. The costumes look fresh, the dancers too - and how they fit in rehearsals and classes with such a huge tour, criss crossing the UK is a mystery.
Tonight's performance was superb - the gorgeous sets make the relatively small stage look huge, giving the illusion of a grand palace full of courtiers. Was it my imagination or was there a touch of Joan Collins in Dynasty in the role of Carabosse (the uninvited fairy) who came on stage with an entourage of huge, "mutant Ninja" mice. I still feel a shiver when the furious Carabosse appears, makes her threats and puts a curse on the baby!
But, to quote the young hero of the film "Best Exotic Marigold Hotel", '...it will be all right in the end and if it isn't all right, it isn't the end yet...' - the Lilac Fairy and her helpers come dancing on to reduce the effects of the curse to falling asleep for 100 years. There follows a comic scene where all knitting needles are banished and Carabosse tries to incriminate the Court's Chamberlayne but the Queen manages to convince the King that everything will be all right and the Chamberlayne is reprieved. Phew.
Next, is Princess Aurora's 16th birthday party where the beautiful Princess meets and dances with with her prospective suitors, politely asking her parents' advice, which she promptly forgets when an old lady appears with a spindle. Oh dear! Maybe I am biased, but the ballerina dancing the part of Princess Aurora tonight reminded me very much of Hollie Robinson, Miss Blackpool 2011 - she had gorgeous, short, platinum blond hair and wore a glittering tiara, much like Hollie when she won the title. And Hollie is a fabulous dancer as well.
All too soon, the curtain descents and we have time for drinks, ice creams, a stretch of the legs before the story winds to its conclusion, with delightful pas de trois with Aurora and her Prince and the Lilac Fairy in a dream of things to come before a glittering finale when the Prince defeats Carabosse and kisses Aurora awake. Then the wedding celebrations begin with entertainment from Pantomime Characters Puss in Boots, Cinderella and her Prince, Red-Riding Hood and the Wolf and the Bluebirds of happiness. The moral of the tale: make sure you check your invitation list very carefully.
If you are new to ballet and don't really know when to clap (see London-based Jazz Singer Sarah Ellen Hughes blog on how annoying it can be for performers when people clap in the wrong place), you never need to worry with the Russian State Ballet of Siberia because a member of the Company sits in the audience to guide applause. With grateful thanks to everyone involved in this wonderful production - from the star dancers, corps de ballet, teachers, choreographers, costume designers, orchestra, Conductor, and all those beavering away behind the scenes, not forgetting the people in charge of lighting and sound - we look forward to seeing you in Blackpool again soon. Bon Voyage.
The Ballet Company are touring the country from December 2011 to March 2012. For a full list of tour dates and venues, click here: http://www.ents24.com/web/artist/76724/Russian_State_Ballet_of_Siberia.html
For further information about what's on at the Grand Theatre in Blackpool see www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk or call 01253 743339 - you might like to consider becoming a Friend of the Theatre if you live in the North West.
And in the beautiful programme, we noticed there is a Russian Ballet Society based here in the UK and they have 'Friends' as well. For further information check out www.russianballetsociety.co.uk
