As I mentioned a while ago I had tickets to the RWB this past wednesday. The ballet was very good! and surprisingly hi-tech.
The sets were simple but brilliant, to create a sense of a constantly shifting atmosphere they used a set of rectangle boxes that could be easily moved, and used various projections on them as well. We are used to a set backdrop and set scenes when we go to the ballet or theater and this was fun and refreshing!
My favorite scene was when Alice meets the duchess (who was played by a rather burly man), and they began to slow-motion wrestle. I loved the humor throughout the entire ballet, adding a bit of something you would see in Bugs Bunny into the mix, with "applause" and "help me" signs. The red queen (pictured above, with the mad hatter) was very demanding and full of life! actually using the megaphone on stage to shout various demands to the dancers and audience. The caterpillar piece was another of my favorites played by 3 people ( a women and 2 men) instead of one.
However the choreography was a bit on the simple side, opting for mimicking and repetition, rather then varied and complex movements.
Overall I would give it a 4 out of 5 because of the originality and interesting storytelling.
------
P.S. a great way to keep japan in your heart in your heart after this disaster is by donating. So much of our lives seem to revolve around things in japan and the culture there, so we should support them whatever way possible in their time of need.
you can pre-order this shirt from the salvation army to show your love (and donation) for japan.
