Nureyev: Legend and Legacy ballet gala offers a great selection from a wide range of classic ballet productions, representing Rudolph Nureyev’s most prominent works and honouring his heritage and its impact on modern ballet.
Staged at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, this unique show brings together some of the best talent to recreate and reinterpret the signature pieces by Rudolph Nureyev. This dancer, who escaped the Soviet Union to live and perform freely in 1961, conquered the world with his passion and changed the face of the world ballet forever. His main contribution to modern ballet is the revelation that male dancers can be principals, not simply supporting their female partners, but performing alongside them, being equally elegant, gracious and mesmerising.
The show opens with a male solo from The Sleeping Beauty, Act 2, directed by Rudolph Nureyev himself, and it is a meaningful choice of the first act. One of the most iconic ballets, The Sleeping Beauty considered to be the ballet of the ballet and the classic for all times, reimagined by Nureyev to give Price more chances to shine.
That is followed by a series of pas de deus and solos from famous ballets like La Bayadere, Giselle and Don Juan and less widely known shows, like Flower Festival in Genzano or Laurencia. Each of the performances has a distinctive mood and chosen for this gala to showcase the diverse range of roles and ampules Nureyev have brought to life.
The show is dynamic and magical. While there is no corp de ballet, the soloists keep the attention of the audience with their technically perfect and emotionally tense performances. From act to act, the solos become more challenging, and the audience holds its breath watching dancers fly across the stage in different pas.
The last two performances: a hypnotic union of Alina Cojocaru and Alexandr Trusch, performing an excerpt from Don Juan by John Neumeier, and energetic pas de deux from Corsare by Yasmine Naghdi and Cesar Corrales – were the most stunning pieces in the whole show.
Live music by Royal Ballet Sinfonia, directed by David Briskin, added to the night another dimension. Unlike in classic theatre, the orchestra was placed on stage, staying prominent for the audience at all times.
Nureyev: Legend and Legacy is a great celebration of the ballet and a definite must-see for anyone interested in dance and impact of classic heritage on modern choreography. It is at Theatre Royal Drury Lane on 5,6 and 12th September 2022.
