Everyone has a favourite ballet and mine is this one, so much so, that even recovering from being stung by over 100 wasps couldn’t keep me away last night. I was determined to see my favourite ballet performed once more.
Birmingham Royal Ballet continue to deliver outstanding ballet after outstanding ballet and I’m excited to see what they do next (Luna) . I’ve watched La Fille mal gardée three times now at Birmingham Hippodrome, and each time, it feels different, and that’s because each individual dancer brings their own sprinkle of glitter to the show. In the most magical of ways. You might be coming to see the same show, but it is always performed so differently. This one is the first under the artistic direction of Carlos Acosta.
This is a show where you are whisked away to a charming countryside (the staging is great), where young Lise finds herself in a classic love dilemma – should she choose the rich but clueless bumpkin or follow her heart to the penniless, dashing farmhand? It’s a no-brainer for Lise (and us as an audience), but her meddling mother has other plans, and that’s where the fun begins.
La Fille mal gardée is a show filled to the brim with humour, romance, and superb classical ballet and there’s even a pony! Yes, a pony on the stage!
Rory Mackay made a brilliant Widow Simone. His performance of the famous clog dance, packed with jetés and playful footwork, had the audience giggling away.
As Lise, Beatrice Parma was a picture of elegance and mischief, bringing a wonderful balance to the role. A perfect choice for the role of Lise. Her pirouettes and footwork were flawless, and the way she floated through the pas de deux with Enrique Bejarano Vidal’s Colas was wonderful to watch. The chemistry between the two was captivating and believable, especially during their intricate lifts and graceful pas de chats, adding a tender touch to the playful romance between them. Enrique’s effortless jumps and confident grands jetés gave Colas the perfect combination of strength and charm, and the two of them had the audience in the palm of their hands every time they graced the stage. The perfect duo!
The choreography was beautifully performed by all of the cast and the live accompaniment by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia complimented the choreography perfectly. Steps perfectly in time to the music. It really is magical to watch.
What sets La Fille mal gardée apart is the seamless blend of spectacular classical ballet with comedy. It’s clever, it’s joyful, and it’s impossible not to get swept up in the fun of it all.
So, if you’re looking for a feel-good, laugh-out-loud night at the theatre, La Fille mal gardée is the show to book tickets to. Bring the family, bring your friends, and prepare for a fabulous evening of ballet. Don’t miss it at Birmingham Hippodrome this week (until 28th September) – you’ll be smiling from start to finish!
Book tickets here: https://www.birminghamhippodrome.com/calendar/brb-la-fille-mal-gardee/
Disclaimer: I was invited to the press showing of La Fille mal gardée.