(GayWebSource.com – Gay News & Press Network) – Posted by Jake Simpson – TheGayUK.com
In this double bill, Northern Ballet performs two very different, but both equally enjoyable, pieces of dance in one programme.
Starting the evening with Perpetuum Mobile, this short piece, choreographed to traditionally classical music, replaces specific narrative with a more abstract presentation, providing waves and waves of dancers which seem to wash relentlessly across the stage. Presented in basic colour and with enthusiasm by the cast, the piece was a perfect, uplifting opener to the evening.
Moving on to the main piece of the evening, Madame Butterfly is one of choreographer David Nixon’s first four act ballets for the company, and one which is powerful in its portrayal of love and emotion. Butterfly is a Geisha, who is introduced to an America sailor, Pinkerton, by a marriage broker. She marries him and falls hopelessly in love him but he is recalled to America, and she enters into a long wait for him to return. When his ship finally returns to her shores, Pinkerton arrives with news which will devastate Butterfly and which leads to a tragic ending.
Bookended by pieces of traditional Japanese music, the score from Puccini’s opera of the same name is sumptuously performed live by the Northern Ballet Sinfonia, and is accompanied by a visually transfixing performance. The beauty of this production is the absolute clarity of the narrative, which is so strong in its portrayal of the story and in its definition of the individual’s character.
Pippa Moore’s performance as Butterfly was filled with the emotion, naivety and childlike innocence of her character; which contrasted with the almost bullishly arrogant; yet strangely alluring Pinkerton, played by Kelley McKinlay. A special mention is made of Kevin Poeung and Isaac Lee-Baker, both of whom are really coming into their own with their performances, which are notably improving with every successive production.
The costumes contained a mixture of stiff white navy uniforms and traditional flowing Japanese costumes which added another layer of movement to the choreography, with the voluminous sleeves of the kimonos swirling around the dancers creating patterns around them. Utilising only a small house, a hint of blossom and a huge moon in terms of a set, the staging and choreography established the scene rather than relying on elaborate sets, but the presentation was enhanced by its simplicity.
Madame Butterfly was utterly absorbing. The price of love, the hurt of betrayal and the feeling of losing everything is laid bare in this production; an aspect of the story which is often overshadowed by the vocals of the opera itself. But here, with no vocal performances, the emotions are clearly exposed. The power of the performance and the storytelling was evident as the curtain fell to a chorus of sniffles from the audience as they wiped away their tears.
Madame Butterfly and Perpetuum Mobile are currently on national tour until 20th June 2015, visiting Blackpool, Wolverhampton, Leicester, Richmond, Bromley, Stoke, and Aylesbury, before being revived for a run in Hull in September. Visit www.northernballet.com for full details and to book tickets.
The tour opened at CAST Theatre, Doncaster, who offers a diverse range of theatrical performances and shows. Visit www.castindoncaster.com for full details of their upcoming shows.
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