The Bolshoi Ballet returns for a new season at The Atkinson.
For the sixth consecutive year, four exceptional titles will be broadcast live via satellite from Moscow: Giselle, The Lady Of The Camellias, The Taming Of The Shrew and Don Quixote. In addition, three magnificent classics , Jewels, The Nutcracker and Spartacus will also be shown.
The greatest names of the ballet world will take to the Moscow stage, including Svetlana Zakharova, David Hallberg, Olga Smirnova, Vladislav Lantratov, Denis Rodkin and Mikhail Lobukhin, along with the unparalleled Bolshoi Corps de Ballet.
This season will feature 7 outstanding ballets from the Bolshoi ballet company, captured in stunning HD and screened through The Atkinson’s state of-the-art cinema projection system.
These events feature a combination of live events and popular pre-recorded ballets from the last year.
Giselle begins the highly awaited new season, screened live on Sunday October 11 at 4pm. The young peasant girl Giselle dies when she learns that the man she loves, Albrecht, has betrayed her. Against her will, she joins the wilis, vengeful spirits who now turn against Albrecht and condemn him to dance until he dies of exhaustion.
This gem of Romantic ballet is one of the oldest and greatest in the classical repertoire, touching upon the great Romantic themes: a doomed love affair ending in tragedy, a dive into fantasy, and ultimate redemption through the power of love. The Bolshoi is renowned for its intimate and emotionally intense interpretation of this beloved drama.
Jewels (Encore) follows on Sunday 8 November at 3pm. This opulent triptych was inspired by Balanchine’s visit to the famous jeweler Van Cleef & Arpels on New York’s Fifth Avenue, celebrating the cities and dance schools of Paris, New York and St. Petersburg, each bound to its own precious stone.
With this first abstract ballet, Balanchine built a homage of captivating beauty to the dance schools that had forged his style: Paris, New York, and St Petersburg, each represented by a contrasting jewel: emerald, ruby, and diamond. Jewels offers a unique occasion to enjoy Balanchine’s visually captivating work, as the Bolshoi is only company authorized by the Balanchine Trust to film and broadcast his masterpiece. Starring Olga Smirnova, Semyon Chudin, Vladislav Lantratov, Anna Tikhomirova, Ekaterina Krysanova, and the Bolshoi Corps de Ballet. (JEWELS was recorded live on January 19, 2014).
The Lady of the Camellias (Live) on Sunday 6 December at 3pm is a tale of a young bourgeois, Armand Duval, who falls madly in love with Marguerite Gautier, a gorgeous courtesan celebrated by Parisian high society. Despite her infidelity, Armand will do all he can to win the beautiful woman’s heart and convince her to leave her indulgent life.
The Bolshoi breathes new life into John Neumeier’s tragic masterpiece, inspired by Alexandre Dumas’ novel and accompanied by Chopin’s exquisite score. This production assumes a new emotional and dramatic texture that only the Bolshoi’s dancers can deliver. “Neumeier’s character-rich ballet has found a company that is equal to its challenges.” – Financial Times.
What Christmas would be complete without The Nutcracker? This is the second chance to see the beloved holiday classic, The Nutcracker (Encore) will enchant the whole family with its fairy-tale setting and Tchaikovsky’s timeless score on the Sunday 13 December at 3pm.
On Christmas Eve, Marie is given a wooden nutcracker as a gift. When the clock strikes midnight, the nutcracker transforms into a prince and saves Marie from the Mouse King and his army.
The Bolshoi’s version of The Nutcracker has a unique and beautiful sense of romance, danced by the heroic Denis Rodkin as the courageous prince and the magical Anna Nikulina as Marie.
The new production of The Taming of the Shrew (Encore) was staged exclusively for the Bolshoi and cannot be seen anywhere else! The encore performance on Sunday 31 January at 3pm is French choreographer Jean-Christophe Maillot’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s comedy tailored specifically to the Bolshoi dancers, and achieves a magnetic two hours of breathtaking, non-stop dance unlike any other, revealing the Bolshoi’s audacity and energy in a completely new way.
Many suitors dream of marrying the lovely and sweet-natured Bianca, including Lucentio. However, her father will not let anyone marry her before her elder sister, the ill-tempered Katherina, is married herself.
Spartacus (Encore) is screened on Sunday 13 March at 3pm. In ancient Rome, Spartacus, a Thracian soldier, is captured by Crassus with his wife Phrygia. Forced to fight as a gladiator and kill one of his friends, Spartacus plots an unprecedented uprising.
Grigorovich’s Spartacus was created at the Bolshoi in 1968, and has since remained the Russian company’s signature ballet. This most spectacular production is an epic tour de force, giving full expression to the strength for which the Bolshoi’s male dancers are renowned. Principal dancer Mikhail Lobukhin is stunning in the role of the legendary gladiator, alongside Svetlana Zakharova as Aegina.This was captured live on 20 Oct 2013.
The season comes to a close with Don Quixote (Live) on Sunday 10 April at 4pm. The Bolshoi’s panache and excellence are combined in Fadeyechev’s critically acclaimed staging of this exhilarating performance with Leon Minkus’ famous score. Featuring brand new sets and costumes to accompany this colourful and technically challenging production, Don Quixote is quintessential Bolshoi, abounding with life and not to be missed!
Cervantes’ eccentric hero Don Quixote sets off with his loyal squire Sancho Panza on journey full of adventures in search of his perfect woman. Along the way he meets Kitri, the dazzling daughter of an innkeeper, who he thinks might be his ideal love.
Please note: This event is a Bolshoi Ballet event – it is a live screening of the performance broadcast to partner cinema’s.
All tickets to the Bolshoi Ballet screenings are £10*. Tickets are available online at theatkinson.co.uk or by calling the Box Office on 01704 533333. They are also available over the counter during The Atkinson opening hours.
*Please be advised that there is a £1 per ticket booking fee for telephone and online sales and 50p per ticket charge for over the counter sales.
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Editors Notes:
About Bolshoi Ballet
The Bolshoi Theatre of Russia, one of the greatest music and dance stages in the world, was founded in 1776 and to this day remains a spearhead of Russian culture. With more than 250 dancers, the Bolshoi Ballet is one of the largest and most celebrated ballet companies in the world. Its annual repertoire of up to 30 titles per year includes classical masterpieces, rare productions and outstanding works by the most famous contemporary choreographers. Moreover, thanks to its school, the
Bolshoi keeps the revered tradition of classical ballet alive through new generations of talented young dancers. For the 5th season, the Bolshoi Ballet will continue to open its doors and allow viewers across the world to attend their outstanding performances in over 1,000 cinemas internationally.
Press
For more information please contact Emma.Lloyd@sefton.gov.uk or call 0151 934 2129
LISTING INFORMATION
Bolshoi Ballet 2015/16 Season
Giselle (Live)
Sunday 11 October, 3pm
The Lady of the Camellias (Live)
Sunday 6 December
Jewels (Encore)
Sunday 8 November, 3pm
The Nutcracker (Encore)
Sunday 13 December
The Taming Of The Shrew (Encore)
Sunday 31 January, 3pm
Spartacus (Encore)
Sunday 13 March, 3pm.
Don Quixote (Live)
Sunday 10 April at 4pm
*Please be advised that there is a £1 per ticket booking fee for telephone and online sales and 50p per ticket charge for over the counter sales.
The Atkinson
Lord Street
Southport
Merseyside
PR8 1DB
HOW TO BOOK
In person: Visit The Atkinson box office on Lord Street
For tickets: visit the website theatkinson.co.uk or call box office on 01704 533333
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About The Atkinson
The Atkinson is Southport’s beautiful new home for music, theatre, art, poetry, literature and history, right in the middle of Lord Street in Southport. Significant investment has been made in refurbishing the stunning 19th century buildings, to create a really welcoming multi art-form venue with a strong contemporary feel.
The Atkinson offers an exciting and varied destination for families, cultural tourists and arts enthusiasts alike, with a full day and night time offer. Wile the day away visiting the new shop, that sells gifts and contemporary crafts from regional makers and then relax in the Bakery, choosing from a selection of artisan bread sandwiches, cakes and sharing platters. You can even take little bit of The Atkinson home with you from the delicatessen. Wander through the major exhibitions and see performances from some of the UK’s foremost musicians, actors, performers and companies, films, family activities and much more.
The new Museum is now open. Sefton Between Land & Sea tells the story of Southport and Sefton as well as the area’s dramatic maritime history. While Discover Ancient Egypt – the new Egyptology Gallery is the home of the Goodison Egyptology Collection, a remarkable collection of archaeology that has not been seen for over 40 years.
Posted on 2 October 2015 under General news
