The Burlington Performing Arts Centre

8^th March 2016 (Tue) 8:00pm
CAD59
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Mixed Bill:
Pas de Trois from A Room of Her Own
Castrati
In Light and Shadow

About A Room of Her Own
Frustration, self-doubt, jealousy and torment: these are just a few of the intense emotions Xi Lu, the heroine of A Room of Her Own, experiences in this dynamic piece. Lost in a maze of confused identities, she feels suffocated by her floundering relationship with her famous choreographer husband, but soon this feeling is replaced by fear and jealousy when her husband strikes up a mysterious friendship with a new colleague. Constantly caught between imagination and reality, Xi Lu is restless and lost, struggling precipitously on the verge of a complete breakdown. All she wants is to express the struggle she faces as she seeks a direction of her own making, and to experience exchange in its simplest form. This intense dramatic performance, choreographed by Fei Bo, highlights the unbridgeable gap between the genders through a profound exploration of the characters’ complex psychology.

Choreography: Fei Bo
Music: Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E minor, op 85
(Live recording by Jacqueline Du Pré and London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir John Barbirolli)
Playwright: Wenlin Xia
Costume Design: Kun Li
Lighting Design: Boon Ann Goh

About Castrati
Nine of Hong Kong Ballet’s powerful men take over the stage in Nacho Duato’s Castrati. Set to a blend of Vivaldi’s and Karl Jenkins’ richly structured music, Duato’s work is a deeply affecting, powerful piece. The perfectly constructed ballet explores the meaning of masculinity and the significance of sacrifice in a world that demands perfection. South China Morning Post has described the piece, stating that “Duato’s choreography combines strong movement with an androgynous quality as disquieting as it is distinctive.” Castrati is hugely popular with audiences, starting quietly but building up to a punchy climax. Hong Kong Ballet was the first company in Asia to perform this eloquent piece.

Choreography: Nacho Duato
Music: Antonio Vivaldi and Karl Jenkins*
Set Design: Nacho Duato
Costume Design: Francis Montesinos
Staging: Fabrice Edelmann
Organization and Production: Carlos Iturrioz-Mediart
Producciones SL (Spain) ©NACHO DUATO, all rights reserved.
Lighting Design: Brad Fields
* With the permission of BOOSEY & HAWKES MUSIC PUBLISHER LIMITED.

About In Light and Shadow
Inspired by a range of Baroque dances and painters, including Michelangelo, Vermeer and Rembrandt, In Light and Shadow explores the interplay of light and shadow by juxtaposing contemporary lines with the lyrical music of J. S. Bach.

It begins with a delicate duet to the aria of Goldberg Variations before unveiling a rich tapestry of solos, duets and ensemble work set to the Third Orchestral Suite. Krzysztof Pastor, Artistic Director of the Polish National Ballet, was former resident choreographer of many world-class ballet companies, including Washington Ballet and Dutch National Ballet. The Journal’s Jonathan Goats said of the piece: “Playful lighting tricks and a simple but effective backdrop combine with the performance to produce a jubilant expression of human experimentation and a joyful reflection on ballet's evolving tradition and influence.”

Choreography: Krzysztof Pastor
Music: Johann Sebastian Bach’s Aria from Goldberg Variations, BWV 988, Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D, BWV 1068
Set & Costume: Tatyana van Walsum
Lighting: Bert Dalhuysen