John Neumeier:
”Lady of the Camellias”
Royal Danish Ballet
May 24, 2019
The relationship between John Neumeier and the Royal Danish Ballet have been a special force for the company since the premiere of “Romeo & Juliet” in 1973. “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, “Ulysses”.Des Knaben Wunderhorn and “Mahler´s Fifth Symphony” and “Lady of the Camellias” followed this outstanding production. Neumeier has also created two ballets for RDB, “Amleth” and “The Little Mermaid” as well as “1963 Yesterday”, a pas de deux inspired by his stay in Denmark as a very young dancer taking classes with the great dance teacher Vera Volkova.
A Love Story
While the Neumeier ballets created on the RDB company did not have a long stage life, “Romeo & Juliet”, “A Midsummer Night´s Dream” and “Lady of the Camellias” have had several returns and is loved by dancers and audience alike. However, I do believe the “The Little Mermaid” could and should be back on the repertoire. Next season we will get Neumeier´s “Mahler´s Third Symphony” for the first time.
Now in its third run, “Lady of the Camellias” again display its strengths and qualities, but as importantly, it makes the ensemble come together as no other work has done for the past years.
As many other companies, the RDB is now depending on imported dancers to fill the range. It is a challenge to turn dancers, who have not been trained for dramatic ballets and Bournonville to adjust to the RDB demands.
Somehow, last night, it all clicked.
A New Armand
“The Lady of Camellias” had its Danish premiere in 2012 and became a smash hit with Susanne Grinder, Alban Lendorf, Gudrun Bojesen and Ulrik Birkkjær, stars who are no longer part of RDB, due to retirements and going abroad.
For the second run, John Neumeier casted the young stars Ida Praetorius and Andreas Kaas, who also starred in his “Romeo & Juliet” in the leading roles. However, Andreas Kaas was not available due to an injury, so this time around the young Canadian dancer Ryan Tomash who joined the RDB, last year, partners Ida Praetorius.
The role of Armand is a monster role almost on stage for the whole evening, lifting and partnering as well as interpreting great happiness and deep sorrow. Compared to Andreas Kaas, Ryan Tomash cannot yet deliver the vulnerability and sorrow; nevertheless, he has the strength to go all the way. His partnership is solid. He is a danseur noble in the making, and getting through a marathon role like Armand proves that he can be a great asset for the company and for the male line, which have lost several top players the last years.
Amazing Grace
Ida Praetorius came very young to the role of Marguerite in 2014. It would be easy to say that she has grown in the role. However, she already delivered on a very high level first time round. What she brings new to the production this time is a deeper interpretation of the last act. Her loss and sorrow is brought to the front and shared with the audience. It is heart rendering.
The ensemble are adding a lot to this production. Young upcoming star Emma Riis-Kofoed takes on the role of Prudence with energy and humor and forms an enlightening partnership with Principal Jon-Axel Fransson as the bonviant Gaston.
Another good casting is bringing back Sebastian Kloborg, who left the company a few years ago to concentrate on a career as choreographer. Kloborg, one of the best dramatic dancers bring his skills and dignity to the role as Armand´s father.
Taking Measurements
Following a season, where neither of the two new big productions “Carmen” and “Cinderella” really delivered as expected, it is such a great experience to revisit “Lady of the Camellia”. It is a production that brings out and develop the best of the RDB stars, ensemble and character actors.
John Neumeier has mentioned that the Old Stage is probably the ideal space for this ballet. I would ad: “ and its company”. Maybe, Nikolaj Hübbe should use “The Lady” as the measurement when signing choreographers for the coming seasons. It is a winning formula.
Photos by Henrik Stenberg. Copyright(c) Royal Danish Ballet:
- Ida Praetorius as Marguerite
- Ryan Tomash as Armand
- Ida Praetorius and Ryan Tomash as Marguerite and Armand
- Sebastian Kloborg and Ida Praetorius as Armand´s father and Marguerite
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