Ballet News in Brief - Autumn 2007 - Roman Vašek

The greatest Czech ballet event this fall has to be the exceptionally successful guest performance of the Nederlands Dans Theater II with the latest choreographic pieces by Jiří Kylián (Sleepless, Chapeau, 27´52) at the National Theatre in Prague. During this time, Kylián also celebrated his sixtieth birthday.

The beginning of the season was more puzzling in the smaller regions with companies who based their newer productions on the classics. In Pilsen, Jiří Pokorný presented his own new version of Coppelia. He tried not to evoke traditional choreography, but the result was debatable. A positive element of the premiere was the ever-continuing growth of Ivona Jeličová in the role of Svanilda.

A complete photogallery can be found here:

http://www.djkt-plzen.cz/repertoar/balet/foto_coppelia.php

The North Bohemian Theatre Opera and Ballet company in Ústí nad Labem also wagered on the classics with artistic director Vladimír Nečas´ production of The Nut Cracker. The production, although limited by the small number of members in the ensemble (only 24), did not surpass the usual production standards that can be seen on the small ballet stages in the Czech Republic.

The smallest, independent ballet company in Liberec suffered some difficulties during the autumn. The sudden departures of some members of the company to other repertory companies as well as some temporary illness of the members narrowed down the company to only eight dancers, thus making it necessary to cancel the planned premiere of the original work, Death in Venice.

The prestigious Theatre News (Divadelní noviny) award for the 2006/2007 season was also awarded in the category of ballet and dance. The National Theatre in Brno’s production Ballads by choreographer Hana Litterová received an award.

More information about Coppelia –

http://www.djkt-plzen.cz/repertoar/balet/repertoar_coppelia_en.php

Ballads – photogallery and video (only in Czech)

http://www.ndbrno.cz/balet/repertoar-fotogalerie/balady/