So London is abuzz about the Royal’s official announcement that Christopher Wheeldon will make a full-length ballet based on Alice in Wonderland, set to premiere in 2011.
I’m excited, especially since some of my favorites of his have been his more dramatic ballets, like The Nightingale and the Rose. Thankfully, he doesn’t plan to make a children’s ballet: “A lot can be read into Alice in Wonderland. One could take the more Freudian route…” he says.
Critics expect Wheeldon to “bring a sophistication and an understanding of the darker sides of the text.”
Music will be by Joby Talbot, whose work he also used for the mysterious, poetic Fool’s Paradise, which makes me all the more intrigued.
Oh wow, this could just be so amazing … Wow!
[hmm, casting … ? 😉 –we know who Mr. Northrop would like as Alice! 😉
I am beyond excited for Tim Burton's film version: Mia Wasikowska as Alice, Anne Hathaway! as The White Queen, Johnny Depp, … gawh.]
“The Nightingale and the Rose” is a favorite of mine, too –
Oscar Wilde and Wheeldon: both utterly just break your heart.
Interesting news. I hope it will be available on Classical TV. On Wed. 8/19 I had the pleasure of seeing a duet from “After the Rain” performed by the amazing, Wendy Whalen & Sebastian Markovich. It was some brilliantly danced cor by Mr Wheeldon. Also, the Joffrey performed his “Carousel” in May. It was lovely.
Hehe, we DO know who Michael's choice would be 🙂 I want Janie Taylor though! I think she'd be perfect in that role. But of course this is for the Royal so I don't know if he could bring over guest stars… And I don't really know any ballerinas from the Royal besides Darcey Bussel who's retired now. Hmmm. I really do want to go over there and see it when it premieres.
Oh thanks for the info on Classical TV, Chimene. I hadn't known of it before. I'm glad it seems to be dependable. I am definitely going to plan to watch Spartacus.
Yes, this would be great if this were available there. I mean, it would be great if everything was. I love After the Rain, by the way. I think that's a classic Wheeldon that hardly anyone dislikes. I liked his Carousel too. I'm glad you got to see it by the Joffrey.
😉
Janie Taylor would be *perfect* – I was thinking that, too!
vis-à -vis The Royal Ballet: maybe Sarah Lamb, or Marianela Nuñez ?!
😉
Janie Taylor would be *perfect* – I was thinking that, too.
Vis-à -vis The Royal Ballet: maybe Sarah Lamb, or Marianela Nuñez ?!
Lots of incredible possibilities to dance the role of Alice at the Royal Ballet but I'm thinking my choice might be Sarah Lamb.
“O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!” Now there is just the small matter of getting to London in 2011…
I just saw the other comments: Haha! You only *think* you know who I'd pick. In reality, I am torn on the subject. I'll try to decide, in case he asks for my opinion 🙂
Yes, Janie Taylor would be perfect – I was thinking of her, too, Tonya! 😉
Vis-a-vis The Royal Ballet: Sarah Lamb, yes!! – and I think Marianela Nunez would be a very nice choice, too – there are many wonderful ballerinas there.
Okay now I definitely have to check out Sarah Lamb! I haven't ever seen her dance. Great name!
(btw Anne — sorry it took your comment so long to post. Disqus put it in the spam queue for some reason — sometimes it does bizarre things like that?…)
He may! Hahah, I think that would be kind of fun, actually — a way for choreographers and artistic directors really to let the audience into the artistic process, let us vote on the casting!
Yes, but only those of us who buy Morphoses t-shirts! I was actually in the Nutmeg Ballet shop yesterday when they issued a tornado warning for the town (Torrington, CT).
Janie's just amazing – she really is.
I don't know if you caught this in person, but Thank God it was captured on video …:
“Philip Glass/Ballet/On the Other Side2004/Choreography Benjamin Millepied” (YouTube) —
[NYCB dancers Janie Taylor, Jared Angle, choreography by Benjamin Millepied …]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqcV0w3HWVE
Wow. So beautiful, I can't even begin… they're just amazing (as is the chor.)
and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ei170HareCY is a beautifully-done montage of the various artists.
Please excuse my current little “ballet high” I've got going on here – and all my flurry of YouTube posting ;).
where are the two new comments, disqus?
Thank you so much for posting those videos, Anne. I love them! I missed Millepied at the Joyce last year unfortunately. They're really beautiful.
Thank you so much for posting those videos, Anne. I love them! I missed Millepied at the Joyce last year unfortunately. They're really beautiful.