Lauren Cuthbertson as Alice Photo by MANUEL DE LOS GALENES
The Royal Ballet’s new full length ballet by Christopher Wheeldon, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, premieres on 28th February 2011 at The Royal Opera House, with a short run of performances in early March. Later this year the production will premiere in Canada, when the National Ballet of Canada dance the production.
Steven McRae as the MadHatter Photo by MANUEL DE LOS GALENES
Zenaida Yanowsky as the Queen of Hearts photo by MANUEL DE LOS GALENES
With just over a week to go, I thought you might like to ‘swot up’ on the original story, and by chance the Kindle version of the book is free to download. I’ve previously reviewed the Kindle and for speed and ease of use I think it’s perfect for this novel.
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However, if it’s a proper book you’re after with pictures and annotations, I can recommend The Annotated Alice :
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Christopher Wheeldon is basing his Alice on Lewis Carroll’s first novel, not on Through the Looking Glass, but if you want to read the complete works then The Annotated Alice does the trick.
I am yet to be wowed by the choreography but I think Wheeldon is clever in choosing a fantasy as his first full length story ballet because he is at least free to show the story in the way he chooses, whilst staying true to the spirit of the story. Wheeldon has also brought together a first rate team around the project who haven’t necessarily been steeped in ballet; among them - Joby Talbot (score – witty & clever), Jackie Barrett (ballet mistress, who doesn’t miss a trick), Bob Crowley (costumes) & last but not least (in fact he’s my favourite) Simon Russell Beale (actor). Beale has been taking private barre in preparation for his role and his intelligence as an actor (who now dances) is going to bring the ballet alive in a whole new way on stage.
Now, if you’re going to the Gala night or one of the other performances, you’re going to want something to wear that evokes the theme of Alice ! Here is a small selection :
Heart Platforms, £64.99 at www.irregularchoice.co.uk
Queen of Hearts Ring, £18 at www.galibardy.co.uk
Limited Edition Tea Party Necklace, £97 at www.swarovski.com
Limited Edition Alice in Wonderland Pop-Up Make-Up Compact, £28 by Urban Decay.
Gold-Plated Pocket Watch, £195 by Jeanne Pierre at www.ernestjones.co.uk
Floral Beaded Headband, £495 by Bijoux at www.net-a-porter.com
Floral Tea Dress, £45 by Trollied at www.pretaportobello.com
Silver Plated Pink Tea Cup Ring, £27 by Tom Binns for Disney Couture at www.truffleshuffle.com
And finally, Lauren Cuthberton, who dances Alice, in the Deanery Garden’s of Christ Church, Oxford, which was the childhood home of Alice Liddlell.
Lauren Cuthbertson Photograph : Jason Bell
February 19, 2011 at 4:28 pm
My favorite post of yours yet, darling!
Amazing pics and costumes!
And I love those heart platforms!
xoxox,
CC
February 19, 2011 at 6:10 pm
Great article! I think I would watch it just for Simon Russell Beale alone, although Zenaida and Steven’s roles look interesting. However-why does everyone look so skinny in the photos?? If the camera adds pounds, then they need some serious feeding and bulking up! (esp Lauren)….even for dancers!!
February 19, 2011 at 6:16 pm
Oh dear dancer, thank you for coming to take a break chez moi….your visit is always refreshing! MILLE BISES, Anita
February 20, 2011 at 8:08 pm
Just wanted to say hello and hope you are having a great weekend
xoxo
SC
February 21, 2011 at 9:56 am
this is SUCH a fun post, I love the accessories listed with it
I want to see it!