“Children of Ballet”
“Why is Ludwig not King”
March 17, 2020
In a closed down society, you cling on to what is available. With the Royal Danish Ballet closed down for two weeks in order to diminish the growth of Corona we turn to what is available.
If we cannot attend John Neumeier’s “Mahler Third Symphony”, we turn to the television series focusing on respectively the ballet school of The Royal Danish Ballet and another series, where a young RDB dancer is trying to find out why his royal great grandfather lost his place as Crown Prince and potential the ruler of Denmark.
“Children of Ballet”, a six part series following primarily six pupils at the ballet school managed to build a positive and pleasing portrait of pupils and teachers. We follow the two main character´s Schonan Greve, the talented son of two former Principal dancers in the company and Victoria Bell, a third year student working hard to change Artistic Director Nikolaj Hübbe´s conception of her potential. Their stories is poignant and impressive.
In the case of Schonan Greve, it is so tempting to make the connection to his father, who was one of our leading danseur nobles. Tall, handsome and dedicated Schonan Greve is born to the part of prince.
His key teacher, former RDB Ballerina, Linda Hindberg is fully aware of his potential and is on his case constantly. Still they have a close connection. While Schonan Greve is battling an injury, she walks the tight robe between pressing and cuddle him. Nevertheless, up to an important exam, she tells him that he should not go for the most difficult turns in the solo of James in “La Sylphide”. Probably a good call.
New Rules
Having followed a significant number of behind the scenes documentaries from the ballet school and company life over the years, it is interesting to note that “Children of Ballet” documents that RDB School has changed its methods and style significantly over the last decade where former Principal Dancer Thomas Lund have been in charge.
In one of the upcoming episodes, we will follow a girl who had developed negative thoughts about her own skills. The teachers are very concerned and one of their contributions is for the pupil to meet with a leading dancer and a coach who helps her to achieve a more positive self-image.
The series also focus on a young boy who joined the ballet school following a very difficult start at a standard Danish school. Joining the ballet school made a significant change for him. He is now a happy well performing student.
At a recent press event at RDB School, his parents answered a question on what would happen if he did not pass his exams at RDB School. They told us that if he or other children were not to continue Ballet School, they are secured a place on Zahle´s School, one of our best schools in Copenhagen and caretaker of the academic education at the ballet school.
Royal in more than one meaning
When seeing Schonan Greve and Victoria Bell at school in “Children of Ballet”, you can also catch a tall and lanky young dancer in the periphery. That is Ludwig of Rosenborg, a first year dancer for whom royalty have yet another significance. Ludwig of Rosenborg is the great grandchild of Prince Knud, second son of King Christian the 10th. Up to 1953, only a man could inherit the Danish throne. As King Frederik, the Ninth had three daughters but no son, his brother Prince Knud was the then heir.
However, as Denmark wanted to join NATO, it was necessary to change the constitution on several points. At that time, a referendum had to be accepted by 45% of all voters in Denmark. The government realized that it might be difficult to reach that number. There therefore decide to add another gem to the packet - female ruler ship. It was a brilliant addition. A majority accepted the referendum. Denmark could join NATO and Princess Margrethe, then a 13 year old would be the heir to the throne. Prince Knud lost his place as Crown Prince and his oldest son lost his claim at the throne.
Following a Danish budget version of the British “The Crown”, which covered this change, Danish Television decided to make a documentary program of Prince Knud´s loss and his family´s reaction.
The four part series called “Why is Ludwig not King” is currently showing on Danish television. Ludwig af Rosenborg is participating in the series, even posing in Crown and Cape, and he is also interviewing various sources of how and why his line of family was cut out.
The series has received rather bad reviews, there has been several critical articles, stating that Ludwig af Rosenborg is actually not in the royal line, due to various rules. What may have seemed like a good idea at the time has backfired. I hope that it will not have negative consequences for Ludwig af Rosenborg´s career as a dancer.
We hope we will soon be back to a more normal life. At present Denmark is working hard to limit the effects of Corona Virus. We have taken drastic and rational steps. The Danish population is following the new rules. We look forward to enjoy our national ballet soon.
If you go to the webside of Royal Danish Ballet you can se a performance of Napoli with Alban Lendorf and Alexandra Lo Sardo www.kglteater.dk Press on the frontside on "kgl. extra"
Photo by Stine Heilmann Copyright(c) Stine Heilmann and Tv2
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