Post by tmesis on Jun 7, 2022 9:42:25 GMT
I went to see this new ballet by Christopher Wheeldon last night, based on the novel of the same name, and very much enjoyed it. I particularly enjoyed Wheeldon's previous full length ballet, A Winter's Tale, which I have seen several times and this shared similar strengths, not least of which is telling a complex story clearly and effectively in ballet terms. I actually think his ballet version of 'Tale' is clearer than Shakespeare's which is no mean achievement. Some online comments have complained that there is too much exposition and not enough dance in Like Water for Chocolate but I didn't think this - it's a complex story and I think he gets the balance right. I saw Akane Takada and Alexander Campbell as the two frustrated lovers and they were wonderful with a particularly powerful ending that almost reached Macmillan-like intensity. Incidentally it was good to see Alexander dancing; he's one of my favourite principals but is seriously underused.
It's a great show with evocative sets by the brilliant Bob Crowley and quite a spectacular ending. I also loved the score by Joby Talbot. It has influences of Ravel, Piazolla and even Jobim; all very evocatively and subtly orchestrated.
It was great to see a number of current and previous members of The Royal Ballet in the audience: Francesca Hayward, Edward Watson, Federico Bonelli and his wife Hikaru Kobayashi.
It's a great show with evocative sets by the brilliant Bob Crowley and quite a spectacular ending. I also loved the score by Joby Talbot. It has influences of Ravel, Piazolla and even Jobim; all very evocatively and subtly orchestrated.
It was great to see a number of current and previous members of The Royal Ballet in the audience: Francesca Hayward, Edward Watson, Federico Bonelli and his wife Hikaru Kobayashi.
