GISELLE. Two-act romantic ballet. Music: Adolphe Adam. Choreography: David Poole after Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot. Production: Elizabeth Triegaardt. Lighting: Shamiel Abrahams. Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Allan Stephenson. Presented by Cape Town City Ballet. At Artscape Opera until 15 July 2018.
SHEILA CHISHOLM reviews
Angela du Preez and Pam Golding, two recently deceased Cape Town City Ballet stalwarts, were honoured, on Friday 6 July, by Giselle’s opening night being dedicated to them. These two indomitable women, giants in their own fields, were also giants with their long-term commitment to CTCB. Angela, for her vibrant, bubbly personality and critical knowledge, and Pam for her quiet dignified presence, have left an “unfillable” void in our local ballet world.
Publically dedicating this performance to Angela and Pam, added additional pressure on CTCB dancers to excel. Not easy, considering the numerically depleted professional corps de ballet are backed by “in training” ad-hoc dancers.
The highest standards
For over a half-century Elizabeth Triegaardt has played significant roles within CTCB’s frame. While some balletomanes consider her finest artistic contribution lay as a ballerina, others, (like myself), consider her greatest strength lies as ballet mistress. Apart from her habit of introducing unnecessary waves into port de bras, Triegaardt has an extraordinary talent for schooling traditional ballet blanc corps de ballet to meet the highest standards. She achieved this, especially in Act 2, despite technical weaknesses displayed by ad-hoc dancers.
The female corps’ togetherness and style created the eerie supernatural quality this scene demands.
Perhaps the importance of this occasion, initially allowed Rosamund Ford’s nerves to get the better of her as Myrtha, Queen of the Wilis. In her solo, neither her balance nor couru were her best. Fortunately she recovered, and backed by equally implacable leading Wilis, Hannah Ward and Claire Spector, Ford turned in a fine performance as the cold heartless Myrtha – determined that any man who crossed her glade must die.
Emotional depth
In a relatively new partnership Daniel Szybkowski as Albrecht, blended well to Laura Bosenberg’s Giselle. Physically well-matched, their inherent understanding of each other and their characters brought emotional depth to this ballet drama. Szybkowski’s mime clearly expressed he knew he belonged to nobility, while Giselle and her friends were not his social equal. Yet, in his way, he loved this pretty young girl. He certainly meant her no harm.
Bosenberg’s acting experience has grown her Giselle into a remarkably poignant interpretation. Her fresh approach to the “mad scene” made it one of the most heartbreaking yet seen at Artscape. However, a softer hairstyle could emphasise her youthful simplicity rather than the present style which tends to give her an air of sophistication. Xola Putye’s physical looks ideally suit Hilarian. He is the rough Woodsman. A sharp contrast to the elegant Albrecht. No wonder he’s jealous, and Putye’s excellent mime craftily showed up the differences in station between the two men.
Presently danced as a pas de six, the Peasant pas de deux, does permit extra dancers a chance to take on solo roles. Unfortunately, at this performance, only Craig Pedro, Meghan Henegan and Mariette Opperman measured up. Neither did the male corps – bright smiles do not make up for untidy foot work – an area desperately requiring attention.
Conductor Allan Stephenson made a welcome return to the podium. Under his baton the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra brought out all the beauty and emotion of Adolph Adam’s score. However, again, the old question raised its head – “does the orchestra follow dancers or vice versa?” Stephenson’s constant tempi variations, kept dancers on their toes keeping up with him. Still all told, Friday’s performance was a satisfying one.
For more stage productions see WS’ Cape Town Theatre Guide: https://weekendspecial.co.za/stage-on-the-boards/
What: CTCB Giselle review
Who: Cape Town City Ballet
Where, when: At Artscape Opera House until 15 July 2018
Book CTCB Giselle tickets: Artscape Dial-a-Seat 021 421 7695 or
https://online.computicket.com/web/event/giselle/1206108906
Cape Town City Ballet: http://www.capetowncityballet.org.za/
WS
