Ballet company a special delight

LE SONGE D'une Nuit d'été, performed by the Geneva Ballet Company, at the Guy Butler Theatre.

GENERALLY know in English as A Midsummer Night's Dream,  this version is danced to the emotive music of Félix Mendelssohn, with the KwaZulu-Natal Orchestra conducted by Lykele Temmingh doing the music proud.

The opening scene of a large red ostrich plume hanging from the ceiling gives one the feeling that of entering fairyland.

Enter the Fairy Queen, beautifully danced by Yu Otagaki, who produced good strong technique. The elves and fairies, all dressed the same in silver skirts or shorts and beige netting tops, were delightful. Their fast-moving dancing and flow of movement gave one the feeling of being in a fairy glen.

The three thieves lent an air of hilarity and mirth, with excellent characterisation.

Slowly the feather bed descends and the Cupid/King of the Elves, danced by Joseph Aitken, appears. The scene was now set for a magical hour of dance and fun.

Aitken – a technically strong dancer with good characterisation – delighted. The pas de deux between the Elf King and Fairy Queen was stunning. At first her drug-filled sleep keeps her limp in the king's arms, but on awakening the tender duet is what dreams are made of.

Pyramus and Thisbe, played by a man, were very amusing, especially Thisbe, who in blonde wig, beard and long pleated dress kept the audience giggling, while the star-crossed lovers in blue and pink were delightful.

This was not the usual classical ballet one has come to expect, but the Geneva Ballet Company kept the audience enthralled.

Unfortunately, there were only three performances on Friday and Saturday, but hopefully they will be here next year.

They are certainly a company to keep ones eye on. – Ann Knight