Sergei Polunin - current dance and other projects

[FionaM]

News of another performance in Sevastopol later this month, this time of the ‘Bolero’ solo created by Ross Freddie Ray.  
 

I don’t know if this will be the full version, as created for Merck Russia’s Multiple Sclerosis awareness project, or a shorter version as performed at the epic Baikonur Space Station.  Time will tell!

 

The Bolero project for Merck Russia 

Baikonur performance 

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CNlKOZNg718/?igshid=z390co3sd3m7
 

 

[FionaM]

A video report from the main channel of Russian TV of the Sevastopol concert …. have fun spotting the stars 🌟 😉

 

[You can use YouTube auto-generated subtitles by clicking CC to ‘on’ and choosing your language through the settings wheel, if watching via a PC/laptop]
 

 

[FionaM]

Sergei gave a masterclass to the Sevastopol ballet academy youngsters.  They are attracting lots of boys 👏

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CRUATEuL9Ld/

 

(Rough translation by google)

sevastopolballetacademy:
"To be solid as a stone, but to breathe", "to feel on the axis", "the body above the legs" - each of the senior pupils of the Academy today wrote in his diary some valuable advice from Sergey Vladimirovich Polunin @poluninink ... tour schedule Acting Rector of the Academy gave lessons in classical dance and improvisation and shook hands with those who missed the beloved Academy of choreography and ballet so much over the summer 🌟

 

 

Edited July 15, 2021 by FionaE
Fix Instagram link

[FionaM]

News that the documentary about the making of the ‘Bolero’ will be out soon.  I believe it will include explanation of how movement and dance helps to cure illness, and the features of Multiple Sclerosis that have been incorporated in this dance.  Perhaps also why they chose to feature Rudyard Kipling’s ‘IF’ in this project 

 

Link to announcement … https://www.instagram.com/p/CRjN3g6JOgx/?utm_medium=copy_link

Link to ‘Bolero’ video … https://youtu.be/fUjYQTZiWYY

 

 

poluninink "Bolero" documentary - coming soon

We created "Bolero" ballet with @ross_freddie_ray as part of Merck @merckrussia project #livefulllife to support all the people who live with Multiple Sclerosis 

Concept & Choreography by @ross_freddie_ray
Visuals by @teunvanderzalm
Director: Maxim Bespalyi
Camera man: Ivan Barkhvart
Lighting designer @niknib
Costume by @dmitry.loginov.arsenicum @dmitryloginov.official
Make-up by @stolyarovyuriy
Video editing: @vinogradskiy and @philipinolee

Watch “Bolero” art video on my YouTube channel
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#мерк #merck #merckrussia #livefulllife#рассеянныйсклероз #рс #живиполнойжизнью#живиполнойжизньюсрс #msinsideout #worldmsday#Msconnection #moveform

 

my screenshot :

 

Edited July 20, 2021 by FionaE
Add ‘my screenshot’

[FionaM]

The trailer for the Bolero documentary 

 

 

[FionaM]

Sergei performed his new ballet Bolero live and in full for the first time last night (23/7/2021) at a performance in Sevastopol along with the IRSS (international student summer course) directed by Boris Eifman.  There are further performances tonight and tomorrow, 24 and 25 July.  
 

Fascinating reveal from Choreographer Ross Freddie Ray … 
 

ross_freddie_ray ‘Bolero’ was danced live for the first time last night, I wish I could have been there. @poluninink doesn’t stop moving for the full 17minutes in what must be one of the hardest solos ever. I always had plans to adapt it for stage, make it easier but Sergei said no! He wants the challenge. Don’t really know what to say other than wow and thank you @poluninink 
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Photo by @vitaly_pht 
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Concept & Choreography by Ross Freddie Ray
Nebula Artwork by @teunvanderzalm 
Lighting design by @niknib 
Costume by @dmitryloginov.official 
Make-up by @stolyarovyuriy 
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#ballet #art #space #stars #multiplesclerosis
 

Click links for more photos … 

 

Ross Freddie Ray https://www.instagram.com/p/CRs02mBADzq/?utm_medium=copy_link

Sergei Polunin https://www.instagram.com/p/CRrw_NwLpLk/?utm_medium=copy_link

 

[FionaM]

I still cannot quite believe that a week ago I was in this glorious setting of Bánffy Castle near Cluj in Romania 🇷🇴
Travelling there was uneventful thanks to the UK vaccination programme, the NHS Covid pass and sensible Romanian travel restrictions … No isolation for anyone fully vaccinated.

 

Sergei was the guest of honour of the Transilvanian International Film Festival in Cluj.  The Romanians laid on a very special occasion for him and he delivered in spades in return.  

 

Over 2000 people attended the performance.  Certificates of fully vaccinated status were required to access the event, despite it being outdoors.  
 

The castle provided a stunning backdrop and the stage set-up of lights, misting and sound equipment, plus 2 large screens (rock concert style) either side for close-ups looked expensive!

 

The show was opened by a Romanian cellist, Andrei Cavassi performing with his band on both traditional and electronic cello https://www.instagram.com/p/CSHWE4Rj4DX/?utm_medium=copy_link

 

Then followed four sections to Sergei’s show:

 

1) screening of the recent BOLERO video complete with the intro poem of ‘IF’ by Kipling … with Romanian subtitles.  It is extra impressive on the big screen.  If you haven’t seen it yet, it is on Sergei’s YouTube channel.  Lovely balletic choreography by Ross Freddie Ray.

 

2) stunning live performance of SACRÉ, which is based on Nijinsky’s life, choreographed for Sergei by Yuka Oishi of Hamburg Ballet.  it was thrilling to see the range of emotions he brings to this 35 minute solo, on top of his super technique.  Sergei is in very good shape indeed, especially considering how little he has been able to perform since early 2020.  (His last performances outside Russia were of Marguerite & Armand with Alina Cojocaru in Japan in February 2020).  This Sacre was nothing like the Sacre at the London Palladium in May 2019.  It has evolved hugely since… Sergei was on fire in Romania 🔥 

3) Q&A on stage with Tudor Giurgiu, director of the film festival in which Sergei was hugely animated and highly entertaining … completely re-energised.  Even joking about how tough it is being ‘danced to death’ in Giselle Act 2, and miming wanting to limp off into the wings.  And then admitting it’s also his favourite classical ballet of all time.  
 

4) a surprise encore of TAKE ME TO CHURCH.  Well … the audience went completely wild, whooping and hollering at his every move.  The conditions were challenging as the Sacre ring of leaves constrained the stage space, and the cool late night air caused the mist to condense on the flooring.  But still he delivered!
 

The exuberant crowd gave spontaneous standing ovations after both the live performances .. SACRÉ and TMTC

👏👏👏👏👏

 

More photos to follow and more info on other events Sergei generously committed to whilst in Romania 😉

[FionaM]

Some photos of the show in Romania

 

[FionaM]

[FionaM]

[FionaM]

More photos of the show on TIFF Romania FB and IG

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CR8fMXYD4L5/?utm_medium=copy_link

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CR7VFfxJJU8/?utm_medium=copy_link

 

 

 

[FionaM]

In addition ti the performance above, Sergei’s involvement at the film festival in Cluj included … 

 

1) an extended interview ‘TIFFTALK’ in English with well respected Romanian journalist Cátálin Stefanescu, who wrapped up the interview by noting that he had asked non-dance questions to Sergei because he’d heard that Sergei didn’t like to talk about dance, whereas Sergei had responded ‘so nicely’ to audience members who’d all exclusively asked about dance.  Ha!  These interviewers don’t know so much!  Fortunately this one was smart enough to realise he’d been sent down the wrong path.  He had asked about Ukraine politics (Sergei is sad that he cannot visit his dad or grandmothers there) and bored on about his Putin tattoo.  The audience collectively groaned with annoyance.  Photos here.  
https://www.instagram.com/p/CR6cnvnJLYG/?utm_medium=copy_link

 

2) Two screenings of Sergei’s documentary movie DANCER to sold out audiences.  It was voted one of the top screenings at the festival.  At the second screening there was another Q&A with Sergei
Photos here

https://www.instagram.com/p/CR_kNi3jj0N/?utm_medium=copy_link

I did watch the first screening … even though the movie was completed about 5 years ago, it is still quite shocking … the drugs, shaving his head, the dreadful media condemnation on leaving the RB.  It is intrinsic and so sad to see the pain in his and his parents eyes at that time.  Thank goodness we now know that they are reconciled as a family and each is in a better place now.  

 

3) a masterclass on the stage of the beautiful Cluj Opera House to local teenage students (at least one from Vaganova and many YAGP award winners) and also local professionals.  The stage was packed!

 

I was very impressed with his kindness and patience with the students as well as his passion for imparting knowledge. And of course it was thrilling for the class participants and audience to get some glimpses of his own fine technique.  
Photos here

https://www.instagram.com/p/CSE6PPCDrqP/?utm_medium=copy_link

 

4) Being the guest of honour at the closing ceremony, handing over the main award.  
https://www.instagram.com/p/CSJRWGiKU-H/?utm_medium=copy_link

 

As well as all these, Sergei gave other interviews to Romanian journalists and was hired to do at least 2 fashion shoots, one for undisclosed purpose and one with Elle Romania 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CSBmJNwqhtD/?utm_medium=copy_link

 

I haven’t yet mentioned the travel problems which caused all the above to be condensed into 3 days and included Sergei having to rehearse  on the castle stage at midnight on arrival in Cluj … after an overnight delay in Frankfurt airport AND then the connection being diverted to another city in Romania due to a massive thunderstorm in Cluj AND then a 4 hour drive through the mountains inbetween!

[FionaM]

PoluninInk’s next performance is of RASPUTIN on the beautiful outdoor stage of Margits Island on the Danube in Budapest, Hungary 🇭🇺 

 

Friday 13 August 2021

 

I had bought tickets way back in January in the hope that I could travel .. but Hungary requires leisure travellers from UK to quarantine for 10 days, so that’s not practical.  Happily I have been able to return my front row tickets for resale … the 3,000 or so capacity is fully sold out.

There are changes to the cast for this show:

- SEMYON VELICHKO, principal at Het Nationale Ballet, replaces JOHAN KOBBORG as Prince Felix Yusupov.  Semyon was previously a principal at the Stanislavsky company in Moscow.

- JÚLIA BARÓ replaces ELENA ILINYKH as the Tsarina.  Júlia trained at English National Ballet School, and is a dancer with ONB in Romania.  She is a regular collaborator with Sergei’s company performing the lead ballerina role in ‘Satori’ (created by Natalia Osipova), and featured roles in ‘Fraudulent Smile’, ‘Little Red and the Wolf’, and Johan Kobborg’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’.

- DJORDJE KALENIC, returns to his role as the ailing Tsarevich.  Djordje has been training at the Vienna State Opera Ballet Academy with grants from Sergei’s Foundation.  He will be joining the John Cranko School in September. 

 

The other cast members are unchanged ….
- ALEXEI LYUBIMOV, principal at Stanislavsky is the Tsar

- SERGEI POLUNIN is Rasputin

 

https://margitszigetiszinhaz.hu/margitszigeti-programok/raszputyin-tancdrama-szergej-polunyin/

 

[FionaM]

The next PoluninInk performance that we know of, will be SACRE & PARADOX at the Pushkin Opera and Ballet Theater in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia 🇷🇺 … on 22 August 2021

 

This performance was announced only one week ago, on 2nd August 2021, and is now almost sold out.
 

It is significant as it will be the 50th performance of SACRE … a 35 minute solo … which premiered in St. Moritz in July 2018.

 

This ballet was choreographed by Yuka Oishi and reflects the life of Nijinsky.  The performers accompanying Sergei in this extended version are Alexei Lyubimov (principal at Stanislavsky, Honoured artist of Russia) and Dejan Kolarov (soloist and choreographer of Serbian National Theatre)

The NN Opera House posted on IG today:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CSW3M6_Dt8H/?utm_medium=copy_link

 

“The performance of Sergei Polunin on our stage is practically sold out!

 

On August 22, the Nizhny Novgorod Opera and Ballet Theater will host one-man performances SACRÉ and PARADOX, the protagonist of which will be Sergei Polunin as the dancer Vaslav Nijinsky.  We are glad to host the star of the ballet world and show such an interesting project that the citizens of Nizhny Novgorod will be able to see following the residents of the European St. Moritz and St. Petersburg.”

Edited August 9, 2021 by FionaE
Typo

[FionaM]

37 minutes ago, FionaE said:

The venue in Budapest

 
Sadly it seems I cannot post any more pictures or attachments.  Sorry for this blank post, which I couldn’t delete either.  
 

Could someone help?

[bangorballetboy]

If you have reached your limit, I’m afraid you have reached your limit.

[FionaM]

8 hours ago, bangorballetboy said:

If you have reached your limit, I’m afraid you have reached your limit.

Thank you.  Do you know if that is a personal limit … so that I can’t add attachments anywhere in the forum?   Or is it a limit on attachments only in this thread?

 

There was a note to indicate I could ‘manage attachments’ , but I haven’t found where to do that yet.  Could you advise?  

[JohnS]

FionaE

You might want to look at this thread. I’m afraid I haven’t as yet looked at Flickr and other possibilities for photo sharing when website limits are exceeded but I’m sure some Forum members are very adept.
 

https://www.balletcoforum.com/topic/19515-new-limit-to-size-of-uploaded-images/

 

[bangorballetboy]

Thanks John.

[FionaM]

@JohnSThank you very much for this link and suggestions.  I’ve managed to free up space by deleting a few pictures via ‘my account’.    Though it’s only a matter of time of course, before I bump up against the limit again.  Hmm 🤔  

 

So the obvious solution then is to rejoin as a new member with a new allocation !!!  

Edited August 10, 2021 by FionaE
Edit

[FionaM]

Fabulous images from the Cluj performance from these professional photographers …

Daniel Manascurta

https://www.instagram.com/s/aGlnaGxpZ2h0OjE3OTIxMTI1MzE1NzY5MDA5?story_media_id=2628721706084212268&utm_medium=copy_link

 

Paul Daniel Schneider

https://www.instagram.com/p/CSMyVYVokDz/?utm_medium=copy_link

 

There were a whole swathe of photographers at the event … obviously some were filming the live performance for relay on the large screens.  

[FionaM]

News that Sergei will be at Wimbledon Book Festival on 17 September 2021 … promoting his book ‘FREE’.   
 

Booking link below ….
 

Sunset Festival: 15-19 September 2021

on Wimbledon Common

Outside in 'side up' marquees - Reduced audience capacities 

 

Sunset Line-up includes: Rick Stein, Elif Shafak, Miriam Margolyes, Anne Sebba, Sebastian Faulks, Sophie Dahl, Steven Isserlis, John Cooper Clarke, Anita Rani, Robert Peston, Sergei Polunin, Yvonne Bailey-Smith, Chris Riddell, Rob Biddulph, Giles Terera, Graeme Hall.

 

 

https://www.wimbledonbookfest.org/Events/2021SunsetEvents/SergeiPolunin.aspx

[FionaM]

Audience reaction to Rasputin in Budapest this evening …

 

kriszwrites I just saw dance drama "Rasputin" with "the bad boy of ballet", Sergei Polunin. What can I say - it was my first time seeing him and now my goal is to see him again. Once was not enough. He really is from another dimension! The drama itself was beautifully choreographed and the music matched the inner struggles of Rasputin perfectly. What moves!! What facial expressions!!! From the entire cast I might add. Budapest went bananas at the end.

#ballet #sergeipolunin #polunin #rasputin#poluninrasputin #modernballet #geniusofballet#whatanight #nightout #summernights #mindblown

 

Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/CSiDqDuIf2U/?utm_medium=copy_link

[Jeannette]

10 hours ago, FionaE said:

Audience reaction to Rasputin in Budapest this evening …

 

kriszwrites I just saw dance drama "Rasputin" with "the bad boy of ballet", Sergei Polunin. What can I say - it was my first time seeing him and now my goal is to see him again. Once was not enough. He really is from another dimension! The drama itself was beautifully choreographed and the music matched the inner struggles of Rasputin perfectly. What moves!! What facial expressions!!! From the entire cast I might add. Budapest went bananas at the end.

#ballet #sergeipolunin #polunin #rasputin#poluninrasputin #modernballet #geniusofballet#whatanight #nightout #summernights #mindblown

 

Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/CSiDqDuIf2U/?utm_medium=copy_link

 

I love Budapest’s Margit Island summer theatre! I’m sure that it was a magical evening. 

[FionaM]

52 minutes ago, Jeannette said:

 

I love Budapest’s Margit Island summer theatre! I’m sure that it was a magical evening. 

it did look a super venue … with the artistic water tower at one end.  See photo on this IG post.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CShEvqlqaoU/?utm_medium=copy_link

 

I desperately wanted to go … more because Budapest is at top of my travel list …I’ve seen Rasputin before … but COVID travel restrictions 😕

[FionaM]

If you are quick (!) you can catch some rehearsal footage on Jiri Bubenicek’s IG story … of rehearsals for the Paradiso section of the Dante Divine Trilogy project “Metanoia” which will be performed in Ravenna itself on 1-5 September.

 

Wonderful music by Kirill Richter.  And super to see the plasticity of Jiri in this rehearsal.  

 

https://instagram.com/stories/jiribubenicek/2639970676429056461?utm_source=ig_story_item_share&utm_medium=copy_link

Edited August 14, 2021 by FionaE
Add link

[FionaM]

The full rehearsal video of Paradiso for Metànoia 

 

Update: I am told this may not be the score for the ballet.  Shazam identifies it as ‘The Art of Loneliness’ by Adrián Berenguer. 

 

 

Edited August 14, 2021 by FionaE
Correction to music

[maryrosesatonapin]

Thanks for all the info, @FionaE!

[FionaM]

7 hours ago, maryrosesatonapin said:

Thanks for all the info, @FionaE!

my pleasure … people keep asking me ‘does Sergei still dance’ 🙄

 

If they follow this they will know the answer is yes … in his own projects.
 

 He does not appear to be wanting to guest with established ballet companies at this point.  Who knows about the future … anything can change.  

[FionaM]

Today is the 800th anniversary of the founding of the city of Nizhny Novgorod (formerly Gorky).   A huge performance is planned this evening at 20.21 (that’s 800 years from 1221) and will be broadcast on Russia 1TV.  It’s usually possibly to watch via links.  
 

Sergei will be one of the performers which includes the ballet company of the opera house and the two champion rhythmic gymnasts Dina and Asha Averina.   It’s not been announced what he will dance .. TMTC?  Something else?

 

There is a special stage being built over the Volga which is awesome in itself and fireworks afterwards will be amazing with the Volga as backdrop.  
 

This is a separate performance to PoluninInk show of Paradox & Sacre tomorrow Sunday 22 August at the Pushkin Opera House in NN which is fully sold out.  
 

https://www.niann.ru/?id=568405&fbclid=IwAR3sbBciXXGbpUUHQbhnT763TzwResobU5m3MQGPN21ampw91gnD7sl7yf0
 

Photo of amazing stage here

https://www.instagram.com/p/CSwz-B5jLcb/?utm_medium=copy_link

 

[FionaM]

Some super video clips at this IG link … of Sacre and Paradox performed in the Pushkin Opera House in Nizhny Novgorod on Sunday 22 August 2021.  

Accompanying Sergei in depicting Nujinsky’s life and mental state … are Alexei Lyubimov (Principal at Stanislavsky Ballet, where Laurent Hilaire is AD) and Dejan Kolarov (Soloist at Belgrade National Ballet Company)

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CS40DCKs1dV/?utm_medium=copy_link

[FionaM]

Sergei’s next performances are 1-5 September 2021 of ‘Metànoia’ at Ravenna Festival to celebrate 700 years since Dante’s passing in September 1321 in Ravenna itself.  
 

It’s a huge international collaboration with 3 choreographers, 3 composers and 3 teams of video, set, lighting design people.  Over 200 people are involved.  
 

There must be huge financial backing for this one. 
 

https://www.ravennafestival.org/en/events/metanoia/

[FionaM]

DANTE METÀNOIA

by and with Sergei Polunin

Teatro Alighieri

01-05 September 2021 | at 9 PM

 

Autumn Trilogy: the Dance, the Music, the Word
Dante Metànoia
by and with Sergei Polunin

 

“Poca favilla gran fiamma seconda” (Paradiso I, 34)

 

Inferno
choreography Ross Freddie Ray
music Miroslav Bako 
video design – mapping Yan Yanko
Dante’s voice Vincenzo Spirito

 

Purgatorio
choreography Sergei Polunin
music Gregory Revert
video design – mapping Marcella Grimaux, Aaron Kaufman, Daniel Faubert – Noisy Head Studio
stage design Noisy Head Studio and The Fury

 

Paradiso
choreography Jiří Bubeníček
music Kirill Richter
set design Otto Bubeníček

piano Kemal Gekic, Kirill Richter
vocals Andjela Ninkovic
lighting design Konstantin Binkin
technical director Steve Mauri
costume assistant Tatjana Strugar
video operation director Francis Corbeil
concept/libreto Zrnka Miskovic

world premiere
commissioned by Ravenna Festival

 

---

An extremely personal contemplation of the Divine Comedy, retracing Dante’s footsteps: Polunin and Dante, two rebellious and stateless poets, forced to dig deep within themselves in search of meaning and love—found their respective paradises in art and creativity, striking sparks that lighted up the world. The term Metànoia, Greek for “conversion”, was used by Jung to indicate the soul’s spontaneous attempt at self-healing after a crisis. This new creation is Polunin’s own metànoia, the story of his journey from hell to heaven, of how he found his own divine spark, and demonstrated that salvation is possible. Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso are his triple challenge, with different musicians taking turns on the stage: a challenge none other could take, and one that Polunin has accepted putting his own self on the line.