Season finale of Ballet West is truly moving
Donald Mahler, the man who staged Antony Tudor's "Echoing of Trumpets" for Ballet West, has said, "When people experience a Tudor work, they are moved by it."
That was true with the opening night of Ballet West's season finale, "Evening of Ballets," which featured the Utah premiere of "Echoing of Trumpets."
The drama, technique and emotion leaped off the stage as the dancers took on this disturbing but beautiful work.
" . . . Trumpets" was created for the Royal Swedish Ballet in 1963 as a memorial for the Czech village of Lidice, which was destroyed by the Nazis in 1942. Still there was no denying that the themes and messages ring true today with the war in the Middle East. How fitting to premiere the work on the start of Memorial Day weekend.
The devastation, the raping of women and the brutality of war resonates through the work as soldiers accost women and a local man. The work is captivating, as the scenes and tension rise through each variation. But in the end, there is a small spark of reprieve as the human spirit continues, even under the heaviest of duress.
The revival of Hans van Manen's "In and Out" opened the program.
Technical dancing, interspersed with spoken (shouting) dialogue and contemporary dance styles, caught the audience's attention and displayed van Manen's artistic genius.
Closing out the evening was George Balanchine's "Themes and Variations." The audience as well as the dancers enjoyed this classically, technical work.
Principals Michiyo Hayashi and Christopher Ruud (who stepped in for Seth Olson on Friday) complemented each other through their dance partnering. Ruud was there when Hayashi needed him.
Ruud's solos were filled with confidence and focus while Hayashi's lighter-than-air leaps and footwork brought loud applause from the audience.
After Friday's performance, retiring principal dancer Maggie Wright, who was overcome by emotion, was honored for her 19 years with the company.
Ballet West has found its step with the future of dance. Unfortunately the board has forced Kage to leave the company. When Kage departs, Utah will be the ultimate loser, in the local and international dance community.
E-mail: scott@desnews.com
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