August Bournonville:
”La Sylphide”
Directed by Nikolaj Hübbe
August Bournonville:
”Napoli
”Directed by Nikolaj Hübbe
Gregory Dean:
”Cinderella”
Available on the RDB web side.
When the corona19 hit Copenhagen early spring 2020, the Royal Danish Ballet, RDB saw no other alternative than to close down for the near future. However, as the times moved, RDB found the ways to perform live again. The Old Stage was opened again, let in a smaller audience, and found different ways to offer a safe performance.
The RDB also made film and tv-producions available on the internet, including several big hits. Now the RDB is able to perform again on the big scene. Nevertheless, the RDB continues to share their production on the Internet. These productions includes Gregory Dean´s “Cinderella”, Nikolaj Hübbe´s version of “Napoli” and his resent production of “La Sylphide” starring principals Ida Praetorius and Jón Axel Fransson in the leading roles.
On the Screen
The RDB was an early mover in using the camera the share dance to a broader audience. In addition, the national television has shared the national and international heritage over the years as well as produced several new creations for television.
This time around, it is not the state television who produces the new version of “La Sylphide”. The production now available on the internet is based on the films made by the in-house staff of RDB, who normally films the various productions for future generations and current staff. What is unusual is the fact that RDB makes an almost new production available – and created and edited in-house.
The final project is based on various takes and although the RDB have professional equipment, they have not the levels of professional film and crews. I am glad to state that although there were some scenes, where I would have liked more close up’s, I must also state that some of the scenes and acting was clearer on the screen than in the theatre.
As I and several other reviewers have stated is that Nikolaj Hübbe with this his third version has presented his best production of “La Sylphide”. Having his first cast led by Ida Praetorius and Jón Axel Fransson and with strong support from Kizzy Matiakis as Madge in her last role at RDB, Benjamin Buza as Gurn and Stephanie Chen Gundorph as Effie creates a faultless production.
Sharing this gem with both a national and international audience is a gift from RDB and a testament of their quality and tradition. May you enjoy it.
Photo Credit:
Ida Praetorius as the Sylph and Jón Axel Fransson as James
Photo by Per Morten Abrahamsen copyright(c) Royal Danish Ballet
Link: go to https://kglteater.dk
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