Long Time - Still Seen

 

 

The Royal Danish Ballet in Covid19 Time

January 7, 2021

When Covid 19 came to Denmark, the Royal Danish Ballet closed down for a significant period. However, the company managed to rebound and carry a number of productions. However, the company had to perform under limited conditions. The audience was reduced to one third of normal practice. There was strict rules for the audience and limitations on how and where they could move. Nevertheless, the RDB audience was delighted to see whatever was available.

 

 

It was under this stick rules that Nikolaj Hübbe´s new and brilliant production of “La Sylphide” had its opening and was enjoyed by the limited audience.

The RDB has a long tradition for filming and televising ballet. In addition, luckily the company managed to produce a filmed version of “La Sylphide” on the company´s website. The production was planned to be followed by the Balanchine “Nutcracker”. However, this was the production that did not gets it first night (the Balanchine “Nutcracker” has been a mainstay on the RDB repertoire for several years.

Somehow, the RDB also managed to make a filmed version, however, not as well produced as the “La Sylphide” filmed version.

It is not the first time; RDB has moved its skills to the cinema format. Following an earlier lock down, the RDB also presented on screen productions of the repertoire available on the internet.

Following the lock down, the audience once again can enjoy the quality productions. Still it may be our only way to enjoy ballet for a prolonged period. As it happens, Nikolaj Hübbe had decided to present a very meaty spring season, including John Neumeier´s “Romeo & Juliet”, a big favorite with the RDB audience.

Cross Fingers

As the Covid 19 has grown in Copenhagen, “Romeo & Juliet” it might miss their turn. However, it will still be available on the company  home page, The next performances of  “Dance2Go” and “the Hübbery” may also be cancelled if Covid 19  stays in Copenhagen for a longer stay.  “The Hübbery” is planned for February and depending on whether the Covid 19 will stay.

As “Giant Steps” is scheduled for later in the season this program may get its run as well as “Second Landscape” and Gregory Dean´s “Blixen”, “Napoli” etc.

Hopefully John Neumeier´s “Mahler´s Third Symphony” will get the run it missed last season due to Covid 19 last spring.

 

The Silver Lining

As mentions above, RDB has a long tradition for filming their productions and make them available for the public. This season presents several new and older productions. At present you can enjoy Silja Schandorff and Nikolaj Hübbe´s  “Swan Lake”, “La Sylphide”, Gregory Dean´s: “Cinderella”, Tobias Praetorius “Princess on the Pea”, Paul Lightfoot´s”Unspoken”, “Napoli”  starring Alban Lendorf. “Romeo & Juliet”, the titles may change. You go to kgl.teater.dk on the website. It can be difficult to find the ballets. However, where the word extra is used, follow it.  You will not waste your time.

 

 Photo Credits:

Kizzy Matiakis in "Carmen" Photo by Peter Abrahamsen, Copyright Royal Danish Ballet