Danish ballet set in Scotland

[Ian.MacAllan]

Tomorrow's Washington Post reports that the Washington Ballet, with the co-operation of the Royal Danish Ballet, plans to produce August Bournonville's La Sylphide at Kennedy Center's Eisenhower Theatre February 11-15, 2009. This ballet, which has a Scottish setting, is described in Sarah Kaufman's article as "a feast of kilts and tartans". There are three photos of male dancers in kilts in the print version of the article, but the only one I could find online is this one from a Danish production in the 1880's.

[Hamish]

This is a famous ballet, Ian, and has been regularly staged by most of the world's great ballet companies - I must have see it eight or nine times over the years. The leading man, James, is always kilted (at least he is by tradition) as are his friends in the story.

Last year I saw a modern-dress version of the ballet in which the men were dressed in kilts, T-shirts, scrunched down hose and boots - yes, they danced in boots! The only concession made to it being a ballet was that the dancers sporrans were attached to their kilts - a Health and Safety directive no doubt, to prevent serious injury!!

Here are a few images I found on the Internet:









Take care,
Ham.

[Bugbear]

Hmmm! That's interesting. Would not have thought of combining the two, and I guess you would need to attach the sporrans to the kilts.

[David Dubh]

I'll have to keep my eye open for a tour through Canada Take my wife and wear my kilt, making us both very happy

[Ian.MacAllan]

Thanks very much for the comments and especially for the photos, Hamish. As you can see, I have not developed much talent for choosing productive search keys.

It's also gratifying to learn that this ballet is more generally appreciated than I had thought.

Best wishes,
Ian

.

[GG]

Tomorrow's Washington Post reports that the Washington Ballet, with the co-operation of the Royal Danish Ballet, plans to produce August Bournonville's La Sylphide at Kennedy Center's Eisenhower Theatre February 11-15, 2009. This ballet, which has a Scottish setting, is described in Sarah Kaufman's article as "a feast of kilts and tartans". There are three photos of male dancers in kilts in the print version of the article, but the only one I could find online is this one from a Danish production in the 1880's.

I have seen the ballet many years ago in the Royal Theatre of Copenhagen. Male dancers were all were wearing kilts and some of the female dancers, too. I include a picture from a performance with the Royal Danish Ballet. It is from about 1980.

Greg

[Rex_Tremende]

Tomorrow's Washington Post reports that the Washington Ballet, with the co-operation of the Royal Danish Ballet, plans to produce August Bournonville's La Sylphide at Kennedy Center's Eisenhower Theatre February 11-15, 2009. This ballet, which has a Scottish setting, is described in Sarah Kaufman's article as "a feast of kilts and tartans".

The New York Times yesterday published a review of this production of the Washington Ballet's Sylphide. Notably, the critic observed:

... it is a relief to see a production that — unlike most “Sylphides” — understands that Scottish women did not wear the same tartan kilts as men.

Later in the article, referring to the other production of the night:

“La Sylphide,” a two-act masterwork so unassuming in manner, is followed by Lila York’s one-act “Celts” (1996), a blend of bombast and blarney set to a taped compilation of so-called-contemporary Irish music. Mindless dance exhibitionism is carted out under the aegis of a bogus-Romantic view of Ireland as a place of doom and charm. Bournonville’s Scotland still feels true; Ms. York’s Ireland feels touristy and fake.

Regards,
Rex.

[meinfs]

Tomorrow's Washington Post reports that the Washington Ballet, with the co-operation of the Royal Danish Ballet, plans to produce August Bournonville's La Sylphide at Kennedy Center's Eisenhower Theatre February 11-15, 2009.

Here's the picture ad in the WashPost's that I posted a month ago...

[Rex_Tremende]

Here's the picture ad in the WashPost's that I posted a month ago...

Now how about those hose?

Regards,
Rex.

[meinfs]

The hose are smashing (I'm sure it's a biased reaction - it looks artsy. LOL. At least they're NOT white.