DANCE2GO
Royal Danish Ballet
October 25, 2031
Having few opportunities due to Covid, the Copenhagen ballet audience filled practically all seats in The Old Stage to enjoy a healthy doses of August Bourneville’s magic.
The first part of the program was a film on the life and work of August Bournonville by Liv Thomsen and Erik Aschengreen, who explained August Bourneville’s life and - most importantly - his work as a legacy still in live.
Everybody dancing Bournonville
After the break, the RDB dancers took over the stage to perform a series of Bournonville´s own works, performed by established stars, newly appointed dancers from the RDB School and intake of male dancers from abroad. Principal Dancers Holly Dorger and Marcin Kupinski took on August Bournonville ´s own take of “Pas de Vestale”.
This was followed by the “Pas de Trois” from “The Conservatory” danced by Principal Jonathan Chmelensky, soloists Camilla Ruelykke Holst and Lena-Maria Gruber, the later showing her special gifts for Bournonville.
The next on the line, Soloist Alexander Bozinoff partnered a new addition to RDB, Mayo Arii in the lovely Pas de Deux from “Kermes in Bruges”, so well-remembered, when danced by principals Mette-Ida Kirk and Ib Andersen in the film “Dancing Bournonville” by Jørgen Leth.
Finally, a group of young dancers Ditte Paltzer, Victoria Bell and Agnes Rosendahl mixed up very well with the more experienced Tara Schaufuss in the Pas de Sept from “A Folks Tale”. Balthazár Sénat, Georgi Kapitanski and Nico Jannsen, dancers who has joined RDB during the last years, also supported them. Considering that the male dancing in the Pas de Sept, normally is given to the top of Principals and Soloists, the trio last night managed a fine and strong performance.
One can always hope for more Bournonville on the rooster and so we should. Seeing the film on Bournonville, where Nikolaj Hübbe himself gave his thoughts on Bournonville, the film also showcased segments on Nikolaj Hübbe´s own productions of Bournonville.
Here we saw both the best and the worst of his eager to change the traditional style and performance to take Bournonville, where the old master never had considered to go. Nikolaj Hübbe as a male Madge was definitely not a high point, nor the way to go forward.
Never the less, bringing Bournonville back is a step in the right way. Last season Nikolaj Hübbe presented a very fine production of “La Sylphide” starring Jon Axel Fransson as James, Ida Praetorius as The Sylph and the retiring Kizzy Matiakis who proved that Madge is and should be a woman. I hope we will get the opportunity to see it again soon.
I hope that Nikolaj Hübbe here has found the way to keep Bournonville alive.
Another issue that must be targeted is the fact that several dancers decides to leave very early. Even young ballet students seams to drop ballet to go elsewhere or to use the high school academic exams they have followed during their study. Luckily, the company has been able to employ dancers from abroad to fill the gap and in several cases students from abroad shows the ability to mix in in the company.
One other issue is the fact that RDB have had fewer productions and performances due to budget cuts. This issue makes it difficult to develop dancers and give them the right opportunities. I hope that the company will get more room to develop and get more chances to perform and grow. This is the key to keep and develop the company now and in the future.
Seeing the Dance2Go program yesterday, showed that there are plenty of talents that can be developed. However, it also depends on the decisions taken. Which are the right options to take? I certainly hope the RDB keep finding the right choices.
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