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Ballet is a symphony, the programme notes read – a dance of the most complex choreographies that captures emotion in the physical form. From the regal and elegant to the bold and daring, ballet invites audiences into a diverse, magical world.
With dances from Swan Lake, Don Quixote and Le Corsaire the capacity audience at the stunning Bahrain National Theatre was treated at the venue’s inauguration to a glimpse of great things to come now that the kingdom can boast a purpose-built building of international standard.
The best of Russia’s Bolshoi and Mariinsky theatres were on show in a production showcasing a collection of classic and contemporary pieces performed by some of the best known names in ballet such as Denis Matveinko, Anastasia Stashkevich, Igor Kolb and Ekaterina Osmolkina.
The visitors, according to the Ministry of Culture, arrived to ‘share our dream’. And Monday evening’s performance really was a dream come true.
The theatre proved to be as captivating and moving as the show on stage. It vibrated with the audience’s applause and each shriek of delight.
The natural wood ceilings and surrounds breathe life and the ambience classically classy and full of positive energy and atmosphere with a full house of 1,001 in attendance.
The electricity generated between lovers of the performing arts and the artistes on stage could be felt in the air and as a result the dancers performed at their peak as they fed off the applause.
Having once shared a stage with the Sadler’s Wells Ballet Company on stage in the UK and having had two ballet dancing daughters I have a fair idea of what’s good and what’s not.
And this was ballet at its finest. Don’t just take my word for it; there was an expert in the audience.
On Monday night Michéle Icelli and her daughter watched what she described as ‘a magical performance’.
“As we arrived we were truly impressed by the theatre. The National Theatre is a welcome addition to the island, and hosts three storeys of seating. On entering the theatre the staff members were very welcoming and escorted us to our comfortable seats.
“The curtains opened promptly on time and we were transported to an enchanting evening of flawless performances – no fault in any technique in my opinion.
“The standard of the 14 soloists, both male and female, was breathtaking with the amazing choreography of pirouettes, fouettes, tours en l’air and much more, with the ballerinas giving the impression of flying through the air followed by audible gasps from the audience.
“The combination of the 13 extracts from various ballets was very well synchronised. The energy and strength of the dancers was technically outstanding, especially the male soloists’ jumps and turns. The costumes were particularly inspiring and complimented each dance very well, of which the music was just as enriching.
“After a 20-minute interval, we were then treated to a beautiful pas de deux from Swan Lake performed by Kristina Kretova and Alexander Volchkov, followed by a contemporary-style ballet which had to be our favourite. The pointe work was made to look so easy … I know it isn’t from a lifetime of dancing and performing on stage.”
Michéle, having trained as a classical ballerina, went on to progress with the Royal Festival Ballet in the UK and now teaches body balance at Ballare School of Performing Arts, and continues to take regular advanced ballet classes taught by the principal of Ballare, Louise Chapman.
Her teenage daughter Cameron was ‘equally impressed’ with the ballet as she also wants to take the route of a professional dancer, and attends many classes at Ballare.
“We both left the performance feeling entranced by the principals, both male and female, and also the corps de ballet and sincerely hope they will return to visit us here in Bahrain,” added Michéle.
The theatre was inaugurated as part of the celebrations of Manama as the Capital of Arab Culture, 2012. Minister of Culture Shaikha Mai bint Mohammad Al Kahlifa, said prior to the show opening: “Today we embrace the world coming to perform on our stage and we celebrate the magic masterpieces of other civilisations and cultures.”
Congratulations on a wonderful night and a wonderful new home for the performing arts.
– Review by Stan Szecowka
