The Australian Ballet: The Dancers Company: Don Quixote

Book now

Description

In 2010 The Dancers Company, the regional touring arm of The Australian Ballet, will present the lively ballet classic Don Quixote. Based on the legendary tale by Spanish author Cervantes, this classic ballet tells the story of the knight Don Quixote on a quest to find his lost love. On his journey he crosses paths with the swooning young lovers Basilio and Kitri in a tale of fun, mischief and mistaken identity. Set in a Spanish seaside village, this light-hearted and colourful ballet features a rich diversity of characters. Its dramatic liveliness and virtuosic dancing makes it the perfect showcase for The Dancers Company’s many talented dancers.

The Dancers Company comprises guest artists of The Australian Ballet and graduating students from The Australian Ballet School. Generations of dancers have performed Don Quixote, including Rudolf Nureyev, Margot Fonteyn and Mikhail Baryshnikov. In presenting Don Quixote we continue the tradition of The Dancers Company, passing the baton between the legends of the past to the stars of today and the future stars of tomorrow.

"Exceptionally good"
artsHub

Credits

Choreography Ai-Gul Gaisina after Marius Petipa
Music Ludwig (Léon) Minkus
Set design Francis Croese & Scott Mathewson
Costume design Barry Kay
Lighting design Francis Croese

Prologue
At the certain Spanish village of La Mancha, there lived an old fashioned gentleman - elegant, gracious and an avid reader of books of knight-errantry.

He is Don Quixote who together with this trusty, loyal squire, Sancho Panza, is ready once more to sally forth for adventure and discovery. His quest is to find that lady of his vivid and wild imagination, the Lady Dulcinea.

Act One - The square at the port of Barcelona
Kitri, lively and spirited, is the only daughter of the innkeeper, Lorenzo. She and the dashing young village barber Basilio are madly in love.

Together they seek Lorenzo's blessing for their future together. However, Lorenzo has other plans for his only daughter and wishes her to marry the very rich Nobleman, Gamache.

The festivities in the town square are interrupted by the arrival of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza who find hospitality at Lorenzo's inn.

Don Quixote watches Kitri dance and imagines her as his Dulcinea. Kitri is amused by the old man's entreaties but, to the contrary, Basilio is not. However, the young lovers quickly make up and leave the village square to be alone.

Act Two, Scene One - A gypsy encampment
While alone on a beautiful moonlit night, Kitri and Basilio are interrupted by the arrival of a band of friendly gypsies from a nearby camp. A gypsy palm reader predicts their marriage and the excited couple leave full of hope for their future happiness.

Don Quixote and his trusty friend arrive at the same gypsy camp and are entertained by the rowdy gathering.

The night breeze, moonlight and passion of the gypsy dance stir Don Quixote's imagination and when finally exhausted, he falls asleep.

Act Two, Scene Two - Don Quixote's dream
Don Quixote sleeps and in his dream, the old man imagines himself in the land of the Queen of the Dryads. Cupid and the lady of his imaginary quest, Dulcinea - the very image of Kitri from the village square - are both before his eyes. But the dream fades as does Don Quixote's happy smile.

Act Two, Scene Three - At the tavern
In the tavern, Kitri and Basilio are enjoying the company of their friends. They are interrupted by Kitri's father Lorenzo and Gamache. Basilio decides he will play one last trick on Lorenzo in the hope of gaining a blessing for his marriage to Kitri, which he longs for.

He pretends to stab himself and falls dramatically to the floor. During the commotion, amid shock and tears of laughter, Lorenzo finally relents and blesses the young couple.

Act Three - Kitri's wedding
Back in the city square, the happy community of friends are celebrating the marriage of Kitri and Basilio.

Don Quixote and his ever-patient, faithful retainer, depart the scene for yet another adventure.

Casting is subject to change without notice.

Wednesday 14 July 7.30pm