nb projects

les sylphides

2007/2008

the performance

We witness three ex-ballerinas on stage, each of them in a specific relation to classical ballet, performing the first non-narrative ballet Les Sylphides. Originally choreographed by Russian Ballet-renewer Michael Fokine for a cast of 22 dancers in 1909 Les Sylphides has become part of the canon of western european dance. By restaging and translating its choreographic propositions into a contemporary context, Nicole Beutler puts into question the idea of the ‚new’, the idea of originality and of authorship.

credits anjabeutler.de

In her version of the ballet Nicole Beutler chooses to bring it literally closer the audience, to emphasize the act of its performance itself, creating a direct experience beyond a mere esthetic pleasure at a distance. She alters the position of the spectator and proposes not a simple copy of the past, but a recalling of the essence and original spirit of Les Sylphides. Resonating the past in a present experience.

Nicole Beutler aims to inform the contemporary questions on dance and the body by looking back: How did dance as a stage-art become what it is now? Dance as stage art as we know it still relies on the conventions and strategies that were developed in the times of Louis XIV at the French court. These academic conventions have become a cultural phenomenon that invite for a closer examination.

Les Sylphides was selected by the Dutch periodical TM (Theatermaker, September 2008) as one of the top five dance performances in the Netherlands during the 2007/2008 season and presented during the Nederlandse Dansdagen in Maastricht in 2009 as one of the highpoints of the previous season.

Idea Direction Nicole Beutler,  on the base of the original choreography by Michael Fokine (1909) 
Made in collaboration with the performers Bojana Mladenovic, Marta Reig Torres , Charlotte van den Reek  – since 2009 replaced by Hillary Blake Firestone
Artistic assistant Hester van Hasselt, Paz Rojo 
Music DJ/composer Alec Smart/Gary Shepherd, based on the original waltzes by Frédérique Chopin 
Dramaturge Igor Dobricic 
Dramaturgical support Jeroen Fabius 
Technique Martin Kaffarnik
Production LISA/ Inge Koks, Nadine Zijp 
Coproduction Dansateliers, Rotterdam, LISA and Springdance/Festival, Utrecht 
Thanks to Minna Tiikkainen (lighting concept)
Made possible with the support of Fonds voor Amateurkunst en Podiumkunsten, Den Haag

press

The classical movement phrases, usually observed on a big stage from great distance, seem more delicate here – especially when one of the dancers asks for support from the audience. But at the same time this piece also underlines the virtuosity of the form. This combination shines another light on classical dance, making for an intimate and deeply fascinating experience.  
Marcelle Schots, Theatermaker

press photo’s
(when used please mention photographer’s name)

Choreographer: Nicole Beutler
Photographer: Anja Beutler
Performers: Bojana Mladenovic, Charlotte van den Reek, Marta Reig Torres 
Resolution: 300dpi
Dimension: 1772 × 2657
Size: 1.1 MB
Download: 3ladiesonpoint300dpi.jpg