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Sunday, July 13, 2014

NAF: LE SONGE D’UNE NUIT D’ÉTÉ / A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM



(Pic: GTG/Gregory Batardon)

Decidedly abstract version takes the Shakespeare satire and turns it into a fairyland fantasy world. (Review by Keith Millar)

The Geneva based ballet company, Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genèva, was a popular visitor the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown this year where they performed their contemporary version of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

The music, splendidly performed by the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra, was undoubtedly Felix Mendelssohn’s, and the plot roughly resembled Shakespeare’s, but there any nod at traditional or classical ended.

This decidedly abstract version by French choreographer Michel Kelemenis takes the Shakespeare satire about Elizabethan society and turns it into a fairyland fantasy world where dreams rule and anything is possible. It is a kaleidoscope of colour and high energy movement as the classically trained dancers fly barefoot about the stage in colourful costumes. There are love-potions, forests without trees and a donkey which resembles an item of plastic modernist art.

The Grand Théâtre de Genèva Ballet Company is composed of 22 classically trained dancers from all over the world – including a South African.

Principal dancers for this production are Joseph Atkin (King of the Elves) and Yu Otagaki (Fairy Queen). They are both beautiful performers who move with effortless grace and skill.

The group of travelling actors are danced by men dressed in flowing woman’s costumes. Included among them is a bearded fellow with a very pretty bobbed hairstyle and an angelic smile. They were hilarious.

Underpinning it all was Felix Mendelssohn’s wonderful score. He composed the overture in 1826 and completed the work in 1843. It is probably best remembered for the well-known Wedding March. Playing from the orchestra pit, the KZNPO conducted by Lykele Temmingh did great justice to this marvellous music.

The Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genèva’s version of A Midsummers Night’s Dream may not have pleased some traditionalists who enjoy tutus and ballet shoes. They did, however, see an excellent and enjoyable exhibition of dance from a company which is committed to being progressive and innovative. – Keith Millar