Radio and Juliet a must see contemporary Ballet

So for this week’s blog we were given the freedom to blog about whatever we wanted! I just wanted to take the time to thank our teacher this quarter, Jessica for using this blog as a way for us to talk about ballet in a way that most of us have not in the past. I feel like I have learned a great deal just by reading my fellow classmate’s posts and responses and I also feel that I am not the only one anymore still working on principles of alignment and rotation.

But with this freedom of subject this week I would love to share with everyone a new found love of mine from Ballet Maribor, the national ballet of Slovenia. This past week they had a tour stop here in Columbus to perform one of their most famous and popular works, “Radio and Juliet.” I dragged myself to the performance, because even though I was really sick, Ballet Maribor hardly ever tours throughout the United States so there was no way I was going to miss it. It was so worth leaving my comfy warm bed. I have never enjoyed a contemporary ballet as much as I did this. The idea for it was based on using what the choreographer felt were the most crucial points of the original story of Romeo and Juliet (the ballroom/party scene, fight scene, secret marriage) and combining them with the amazing music of Radiohead. Characters were not given specific roles or titles and were able to change parts with each other so there was never just one man playing “Romeo” or “Mercutio.” I found the work to be very sensory and emotionally compelling. I had goose bumps throughout the entire performance and my eyes were completely glued to the stage and the dancer’s bodies. They moved with such strength and precision and at speeds that I could never see myself being able to perfect. One thing why I really loved this performance was their inclusion of video dance in combination with the actual live performance. I have a real interest in video dance and this is the first ballet that I have ever seen to include it. I was pleased on how cohesive each part of the piece molded together, each part from music, lighting, movement, costumes and film was a reflection on each other. I really wish that everyone from our class could have gone to see it. Its minimalism was very refreshing in comparison to other story Ballets that usually have huge scenery and over the top costuming. It reminded me how Ballet has progressed, like Modern dance to be a part of our contemporary culture.

Here are a couple clips that I think that everyone should take a look at. Both are some of my favorite parts of the piece. But of course you can find more on youtube! Happy Halloween everyone!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSD7nKIVavU

Sound quality isn’t the best on this clip but I still love this duet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uMINkADw5A&feature=related