George Balanchine:
”The Nutcracker”
Royal Danish Ballet
December 17, 2015
Royal Danish Ballet is rounding up its Christmas run of George Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker”. With up to five casts for each role, it can look like an extravaganza of opportunities for the company talents. However, looks can be deceptive. In reality, it is more about standing still than moving forward.
Still some dancers gets golden opportunity and giving the role of Drosselmeyer to Sebastian Kloborg juvenates not only the role but also the whole ballet.
Up to this point, I had not considered the role of Drosselmeyer as one of the strong points of the ballet. I have seen productions where more focus was on the jesting gentleman – some made it funnier, others diabolic. Seeing Sebastian Kloborg on the cast list gave in itself a certain optimism based on how much he could make of Diderik in “A Folk’s Tale” last year. From the moment he took to the stage he actively promoted the role and expanded it. There was not a moment where we were not subject to a very well thought and well-executed role. Kloborg had found a hundred nuances to the role. He was a clever eccentric, a genius, and not a silly old man. His next challenge will be Madgeman in the return of Nikolaj Hübbe’s controversial “La Sylphide” next month.
The other great performance belonged again to J’aime Crandall’s Sugar Plum Fairy. She seems so much more alive in this role and makes the perfect combination of heart and style. Once again, she was partnered by Alexander Bozinoff. He seemed somewhat more relaxed in the role this time. However as a good dancer in a company of male excellence, he need to take a leaf out of the book “How to Get Most out of your Chances,” co-written by Jonathan Chmelensky and Jon Axel Fransson and really go for it.
Waiting in the Wings
However, competition is as strong among the girls. Two years ago, young company star Ida Praetorius danced the Sugar Plum Fairy in a Christmas Version of Strictly Come Dancing/Dancing with the Stars. Earlier this year she and Sebastian Haynes danced the Pas de Deux at a gala for the Queen. She has yet to dance it in the RDB production. She is doing both the Marzipan soloist and Dew Drop.
Oother upcoming stars of RDB are occupied in the same manner. Two or three soloist’s roles, but still waiting for the Sugar Plum. The brilliant Hilary Guswiler, back from an injury, is on her third turn as Dew Drop. etc.
Nikolaj Hübbe has recognized their talents at a very early stage and many of the group have had leading roles almost before they were out of apprentice’s class. I do not believe that he has lost the faith in the talented dancers. It is probably related to the reductions in productions and performances and the fact the RDB almost singlehandedly is taking care of the theatre’s outreach programs. Unfortunately, the young star material pays the bill. Andreas Kaas was Siegfried last year – this time he is the Soldier in the Toy Box.
I know that these dancers will get more opportunities later on. However, it is a big shame that “Swan Lake” do not get a second run this year, as it would have offered more and meatier challenges.
Half a Century in Service
At the other end of the scale, character dancer Poul Erik Hesselkilde has celebrated his 50 years jubilee. Currently he is doing Drosselmeyer and Grandfather. Hesselkilde was part of the modern influence run under Flemming Flindt and had his largest role in works by Glen Tetley and Felix Blaska. Over the years, he has developed into an all-round mime and character dancer, doing duty in not only Bournonville but also the full repertoire. It is expected that Hesselkilde will continue his career at RDB.
Photos by Henrik Stenberg (Copyright(c) Royal Danish Ballet)
- Sebastian Kloborg as Drosselmeyer
- Poul-Erik Hesselkilde leading the dance with Anne Marie Vessel Schlüter as Grandmother
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