Danish ballet set in Scotland

[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.