ONE of the best ballet companies in the world is coming to Port Macquarie.
The Imperial Russian Ballet’s production of Don Quixote was hailed by theatre goers in New Zealand as “one of the best ballets they have seen”.
This full production of one of the repertoire’s timeless classics features more than 40 dancers at the height of their powers perform a story backed with romance, derring-do and high comedy.
Don Quixote was written by Spaniard Miguel de Cervantes and published in two volumes in 1605 and 1615. The ballet tells the story of Alonso Quijano, an ageing Spanish nobleman who reads so many novels on chivalry, romance, princesses and knights, that he starts to lose touch with reality. He takes it upon himself to revive chivalry under the name Don Quixote, so chosen because it rhymes with Lanzarote (Lancelot), one of the more famous knights from history. As Don Quixote, Alonso imagines himself as a brave knight in search of the lady of his dreams, Dulcinea, a local farm girl he had once loved.
Accompanied by a simple peasant farmer – his faithful squire Sancho Panza – Don Quixote sets off on their adventures. Along the way he leads a charge against imaginary enemies, he fights castles thinking they are giants, he pays homage to gypsy kings and takes part in castle festivities.
The Moscow-based Imperial Russian Ballet Company’s version of Don Quixote has been described as “a must-see event for lovers of dance, theatre and spectacle”.
One newspaper critic wrote: “An astounding and exhilarating three-hour program brought most ballet fans to their feet last night. Perhaps the few who remained seated were simply stunned by excess, as this touring ballet treasure trove heaped pleasure upon delight, capping virtuosity with even more outstanding steps, leaps and turns. This was a superlative exhibition from the principals and corps of a highly accomplished company that managed to balance formidable athleticism with traditional grace and comportment.”
The Russian Ballet will be performing in Port Macquarie at the Glasshouse on Friday 25 April.
Bookings to 6581 8888 or visit www.glasshouse.org.au
