Sim Posted February 16 Share Posted February 16 5 minutes ago, Ginny said: Thrilled about this!! Have already put in my request for updated versions of La Bayadere and/or Le Corsaire. These ballets are not performed in the US anymore. Revised versions that keep all the amazing classical choreography & eliminate some of the problematic storyline elements would be a huge win in my book. Otherwise, these ballets are going to die out. Rojo was a gorgeous Nikiya herself (have only seen the RB’s DVD with Acosta as Solor). I am hoping she will want to pass that legacy on. 🤞🏻 I think 'political correctness' is getting in the way of these two ballets being shown in the US and the UK, especially with reference to Bayadere. More's the pity; it's a lovely ballet with great roles. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted February 16 Share Posted February 16 Does ABT not do its Corsaire any more? I thought the ENB one was derived from it. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josette Posted February 16 Share Posted February 16 SFB successfully danced the Kingdom of the Shades from La Bayadere, Makarova’s version, for two seasons about seven years ago. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ginny Posted February 16 Share Posted February 16 Yes, ABT does have Le Corsaire in its rep., but last time may have been 2019? Note interview with AD Susan Jaffe in 2022 on subject of Le Corsaire: https://spectrumnews1.com/ap-top-news/2022/05/09/former-ballerina-susan-jaffe-to-lead-american-ballet-theatre 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sim Posted February 16 Author Share Posted February 16 1 hour ago, Ginny said: Yes, ABT does have Le Corsaire in its rep., but last time may have been 2019? Note interview with AD Susan Jaffe in 2022 on subject of Le Corsaire: https://spectrumnews1.com/ap-top-news/2022/05/09/former-ballerina-susan-jaffe-to-lead-american-ballet-theatre Thanks for this, Ginny. It exactly illustrates my point about 'modern sensitivities.' I quote the relevant sentence here: Besides finding ways to recruit a more diverse pool of dancers, Jaffe, 59, said the company would reassess some ballet classics (or parts of classics) that may no longer be appropriate for modern sensibilities. "For example, a ballet that’s all about slavery and the enslavement of women maybe might not be something we want to save,” she said, referring to “Le Corsaire,” a traditional favorite for its bravura choreography. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSR101 Posted February 16 Share Posted February 16 (edited) 53 minutes ago, Sim said: Thanks for this, Ginny. It exactly illustrates my point about 'modern sensitivities.' I quote the relevant sentence here: Besides finding ways to recruit a more diverse pool of dancers, Jaffe, 59, said the company would reassess some ballet classics (or parts of classics) that may no longer be appropriate for modern sensibilities. "For example, a ballet that’s all about slavery and the enslavement of women maybe might not be something we want to save,” she said, referring to “Le Corsaire,” a traditional favorite for its bravura choreography. The problem is that companies and ADs will bow to a small but loud minority, and they will also begin to repeat what they believe to the latest socially agreeable position whether they think its right or not (I make no comment directly here on what Jaffe herself thinks). It is much harder to coral the passive but often larger majority on things like this to say 'enough now, stop being ridiculous' enjoy it for what it is a heritage ballet, with excellent opportunities for virtuosity, with a inaccurate historical almost fantastical setting. Edited February 16 by TSR101 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scheherezade Posted February 16 Share Posted February 16 Nobody calls out pantomimes for their inaccurate historical and fantastical settings. Or for the fact that they may be inappropriate for modern sensibilities. And do the audiences still love them? Oh yes they do! 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roberta Posted February 16 Share Posted February 16 Current difficulties with staging La Bayadere can be found in this article from last year. It is a brave AD who gambles with the adverse publicity and possible demonstrations when faced with accusations of religious insensitivity. In Wales, it was cancelled. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/theatre-news/cardiffs-new-theatre-drops-culturally-25631887 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSR101 Posted February 17 Share Posted February 17 1 hour ago, Roberta said: Current difficulties with staging La Bayadere can be found in this article from last year. It is a brave AD who gambles with the adverse publicity and possible demonstrations when faced with accusations of religious insensitivity. In Wales, it was cancelled. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/theatre-news/cardiffs-new-theatre-drops-culturally-25631887 This is exactly the nonsense I was referring too - lets be clear - one person (who isn't even based in this country) complained, literally ONE PERSON, and they scrapped a ballet enjoyed by what around 20,000 attendees during its last ROH run (12 performances). Unfortunately we are in a point in time where authorities bow down before loud voices even when they don't represent the majority and don't even have a strong argument beyond I don't like it. Any decent AD or Theatre Director would have left the email unanswered until he can demonstrate that he represents public opinion and therefore should be listened too. Try gaining 1,000,000 signatures from UK citizens on a petition and then you claim to have some morale authority on what should be performed in UK theatres. 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridiem Posted February 17 Share Posted February 17 8 hours ago, Roberta said: Current difficulties with staging La Bayadere can be found in this article from last year. It is a brave AD who gambles with the adverse publicity and possible demonstrations when faced with accusations of religious insensitivity. In Wales, it was cancelled. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/theatre-news/cardiffs-new-theatre-drops-culturally-25631887 Well let's hope there are some brave ADs around. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roberta Posted February 17 Share Posted February 17 (edited) I'm unsure these sort of objections will not carry on. Kevin O'Hare, in discussion with dancers at the Royal Ballet, had Sir Peter Wright re-choreograph the Nutcracker Chinese dance after the dancers expressed concerns, as I understand it. It remains to be seen if La Bayadere is revived at the Royal Opera House anytime soon. The Hindu statesman said the Theatre in Wales' capital should not be promoting the production, which he has said appropriates Hindu traditions. In a statement released from Nevada, USA, he suggested the "deeply problematic" ballet was a belittling of a rich civilisation, exhibiting that of 19th-century orientalist attitudes... Mr Zed's statement continued: "It was highly irresponsible for an establishment like New Theatre Cardiff to allow such a ballet which had been blamed for patronizing flawed mishmash of orientalist stereotypes, dehumanizing cultural portrayal and misrepresentation, offensive and degrading elements, needless appropriation of cultural motifs, essentialism, shallow exoticism, caricaturing, etc. President of the Universal Society of Hinduism, Rajan Zed Edited February 17 by Roberta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sim Posted February 17 Author Share Posted February 17 12 hours ago, TSR101 said: This is exactly the nonsense I was referring too - lets be clear - one person (who isn't even based in this country) complained, literally ONE PERSON, and they scrapped a ballet enjoyed by what around 20,000 attendees during its last ROH run (12 performances). Unfortunately we are in a point in time where authorities bow down before loud voices even when they don't represent the majority and don't even have a strong argument beyond I don't like it. Any decent AD or Theatre Director would have left the email unanswered until he can demonstrate that he represents public opinion and therefore should be listened too. Try gaining 1,000,000 signatures from UK citizens on a petition and then you claim to have some morale authority on what should be performed in UK theatres. And as I always say, no-one is forcing anyone to see anything...but we are being forced to not see something through no fault of our own. The answer is simple: give us the choice. Anyone who doesn't like it or who is offended, don't go. But don't stop the majority who are not offended from seeing it. Other European countries are performing Bayadere with no problems at all. I wonder how many audience members who see La Bayadere, a 200 year-old fairy tale, have their views of history or Hindu culture skewed or changed forever after leaving the theatre? 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSR101 Posted February 17 Share Posted February 17 (edited) Not to labour a point but... there is so much lazy journalism in the article you have quoted. The article claims he is a 'Hindu Statesman' but I fail to see on what basis this claim is made. The organisation he is president of is something he just made up. The changes Kevin made to the Nutcracker - just in case someone somewhere was offended by something that hadn't been offensive before and literally in this case hundreds of thousands had seen not been offended by, and for which no one had actually complained about - are in my opinion weak. The Arabian dance has lost much of its power by reducing the number of dancers due to some nonsense concerns of 'harem overtones'. Edited February 17 by TSR101 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roberta Posted February 17 Share Posted February 17 Whatever you think of the journalism or the person making the complaint, however much you enjoy a ballet that doesn't offend your own cultural sensitivities, or don't care that it may offend others, it is difficult to look at what he says thoughtfully and not appreciate he has a point or several. We used to flock to public hangings as a form of entertainment, we eventually thought it wasn't appropriate and moved on. I don't see this issue going away soon. How it resolves itself is anyone's guess. I understand the Nutcracker changes were part of wider discussions with the dancers of the company. I preferred the older Arabian though I do feel the new Chinese gives opportunities for the company men to shine. A number of newer company members have made their mark and, clearly, enjoy performing it. Kevin O’Hare is one of the signatories in the ‘Final Bow for Yellowface’ campaign, whose pledge is to ‘commit to eliminating outdated and offensive stereotypes of Asians (Yellowface) on our stages’. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fonty Posted February 17 Share Posted February 17 (edited) Oh, what is this nonsense about "modern sensitivities?" Since when did we get to be so sensitive? Do people seriously think that by banning Le Corsaire this will achieve anything? This in a modern world where school children seem to watch pornography routinely on line, and if that isn't seriously degrading to women I don't know what is. But goodness me, we can't have a fairy tale consisting of women being depicted as slave girls, and men as pirates. That would never do. How on earth do audiences manage to cope with the brothel and rape scenes in Manon nowadays? I am surprised we don't have a warning at the start, saying the ballet will contain scenes of a sexual nature that may upset some people. In fact, they should be cut out completely. Sorry for ranting, but this sort of think really annoys me. Edited February 17 by Fonty 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roberta Posted February 17 Share Posted February 17 39 minutes ago, Fonty said: Oh, what is this nonsense about "modern sensitivities?" Since when did we get to be so sensitive? Paris Opera Ballet dancers got to be sensitive in around 2021. https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/periods-genres/ballet/paris-opera-bans-blackface-after-staff-pressure-end-racism/ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JNC Posted February 17 Share Posted February 17 (edited) I love Bayadere. Yes it might be set or inspired by “India” but it’s stylised and not a documentary! Why don’t we ban Swan Lake as it’s offensive as it means “Germans” are into beastiality! Or Romeo and Juliet for portraying forced marriages and Italians as aggressive murderers. I’m obviously being a bit flippant but if anything thinks Bayadere is meant to be accurate to any real place in the world they need to check (ballet) history and understand people were building fantasy lands inspired by exotic new environments. Madame Butterfly is another example, I think if a production uses yellow face that’s unacceptable but it remains a staple of the opera canon whether you like it or not. To be honest I find Madame Butterfly worse as it’s clearly meant to be set in a real place and without the fantasy element it is fairer to be critical of the stereotypes it enforces about Japanese women/society. (To be balanced the western men don’t get a free pass as they’re portrayed as careless misogynists and a bit racist!) But just because you don’t like something banning it isn’t the answer. How about critical discussion, or explaining context to audiences in a better way? And ultimately as @Sim says if you don’t want to go, no one is forcing you too! I do think there is a difference between fairy stories and things inspired by something to create a new/different world/story to black and yellow face which is obviously not acceptable. I’ll be honest and say I can’t remember the old Chinese dance from the Nutcracker (maybe I’ve forgotten it or maybe they re redid this one before the Arabian dance?) but I don’t find the new one bad, although it’s hardly amazing. As for the Arabian dance I remember thinking the new version paled in comparison to the old which was interesting and a bit sultry, the new one just appears all round awkward with odd lifts and very un-smooth choreography, I felt quite cringey watching it as it just didn’t hit the mark at all and detracted from the atmosphere. It used to be my favourite little section of the “cultural” dances and now it’s the worst. And so it’s not totally off track, I’m pleased to see Rojo is inspiring such large donations at SFB. I loved what she did at ENB - a truly fresh company with diverse repertoire, really doing their own thing and not just trying to be a touring/smaller Royal Ballet. After Watkin’s season announcement I missed her all the more and wondered what she would have planned for ENB if she was still around! Edited February 17 by JNC 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emeralds Posted February 17 Share Posted February 17 (edited) 18 hours ago, TSR101 said: This is exactly the nonsense I was referring too - lets be clear - one person (who isn't even based in this country) complained, literally ONE PERSON, and they scrapped a ballet enjoyed by what around 20,000 attendees during its last ROH run (12 performances). Unfortunately we are in a point in time where authorities bow down before loud voices even when they don't represent the majority and don't even have a strong argument beyond I don't like it. Any decent AD or Theatre Director would have left the email unanswered until he can demonstrate that he represents public opinion and therefore should be listened too. Try gaining 1,000,000 signatures from UK citizens on a petition and then you claim to have some morale authority on what should be performed in UK theatres. I'd like to know what the actual views of the Hindu population in Britain are. The protests of one person living in America who doesn't appear to be famous in the mainstream for anything else other than his anti-LaBayadere campaign are not convincing. I would certainly take note and revise or commission a new production if the Hindus in the British population or among the ROH regulars wanted a revision. I'm delighted with the revisions to Chinese dance in the Nutcracker- but I would point out that Sir Peter Wright himself who was actually the one who wanted to revise the dance more than a decade ago (it's in the programme). I do think his new choreography (premiered by Luca Acri and Marcelino Sambe) is far more interesting than the old one (which became a bit dull on repeated viewing) and also, less time and money is now spent on unnecessary facial makeup. The important final change was the alteration of the queues (long pigtails, which are actually a sign of political repression and really not something one wants sullying the ballet) and having the men wear their own hair, which is a far more accurate representation of a more diverse community than the usual stereotype. Edited February 17 by Emeralds 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roberta Posted February 17 Share Posted February 17 31 minutes ago, Emeralds said: I'd like to know what the actual views of the Hindu population in Britain are. The protests of one person living in America who doesn't appear to be famous in the mainstream for anything else other than his anti-LaBayadere campaign are not convincing. I would certainly take note and revise or commission a new production if the Hindus in the British population or among the ROH regulars wanted a revision. I thought what he had to say had some foundation in the reality of the ballet, and so presumably did the company targeted; it dropped the performance. You may not like what he said; however he has every right to say it. So far as I know the Royal Ballet hasn't stated it is dropping the ballet or looking at changes. The article wasn't about the Royal Ballet. It doesn't appear to be scheduled any time soon. Paris Opera Ballet, however, is making alterations to La Bayadere in light of what it sees as cultural sensitivities and these changes are at the request of members the company itself. Times are changing, ballet will change with the times. It's inevitable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emeralds Posted February 17 Share Posted February 17 35 minutes ago, Roberta said: I thought what he had to say had some foundation in the reality of the ballet, and so presumably did the company targeted; it dropped the performance. You may not like what he said; however he has every right to say it. So far as I know the Royal Ballet hasn't stated it is dropping the ballet or looking at changes. The article wasn't about the Royal Ballet. It doesn't appear to be scheduled any time soon. Paris Opera Ballet, however, is making alterations to La Bayadere in light of what it sees as cultural sensitivities and these changes are at the request of members the company itself. Times are changing, ballet will change with the times. It's inevitable. It was a small touring group from abroad who don't really have the resources to deal with bad publicity, Roberta. So it was really a small minnow being targeted. I didn't say that I didn't like or disagree with what he said at all. I'm not a member of the Hindu community and am no expert on that faith so don't ask me to comment on whether the production is proper or otherwise. Neither am I Natalia Makarova, whose production is in the repertoire at ABT & RB. I'm interested to hear what the Hindus in Britain have to say- and I also include Hindus among the many international visitors from abroad who are regulars at ROH. It may well be that their view is that the ballet is so obviously fictional that they don't care. If they say they have no issue with it at all and can't see what the fuss is about (I'm talking about the views of at least 200 people, not just one man) then the Makarova production should continue. If they say they are fine with most of it except for a few points and advise changes that Makarova herself agrees with, then that's what should happen. When there are legitimate protests, usually there are at least 5 or 6 people who will agree to be quoted as concurring with the protests. He seems to be the only person making this protest whenever he is reported about. We do have Hindu dancemakers in Britain- one of the most notable being Shobana Jeyasingh, who created the spectacular Counterpoint at Somerset House and her own version of La Bayadere called Bayadere: The Ninth Life. She has written about La Bayadere and unearthed some research that Indian temple dancers even visited Paris during writer Theophile Gautier's time (he was one of the co-creators of Giselle) long before Petipa made La Bayadere. Does she mention cultural inaccuracies? Yes. (To me they aren't major. Certainly they could be revised without cutting out Kingdom of the Shades or the Act 1 grand pas de deux or indeed the whole ballet!) Does she say La Bayadere should be banned? No. She does mention Bollywood films themselves having fantasy depictions (quite a few of which aren't culturally accurate either). So perhaps consulting with many Hindu dance makers, dance watchers and dancers, like Ms Jeyasingh, should be the starting point. If they propose changes that Ms Makarova is not in agreement with, or if they say more than 50% of the production is problematic but could be solved with an overhaul/new production, then fine- commission a new production when funding and sponsorship are available. But assumptions and second guessing aren't facts. Ms Jeyasingh's article (from The Dancing Times and occasionally cited in RB La Bayadere souvenir programmes) is here: https://www.shobanajeyasingh.co.uk/explore/talking-point-dancing-times/ Perhaps we should move these replies to a new Bayadere thread....? 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roberta Posted February 17 Share Posted February 17 (edited) It appears La Bayadere was cancelled in Kent also. https://www.kentlive.news/news/kent-news/chatham-theatre-cancels-controversial-la-6207067 There's a more detailed piece here about some of the problems, and how various companies are tackling them. This isn't an isolated incident. https://pointemagazine.com/la-bayadere-orientalist-stereotypes/ I wonder if Tamara Rojo will have any difficulties in San Francisco? Edited February 17 by Roberta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emeralds Posted February 17 Share Posted February 17 3 hours ago, JNC said: I’ll be honest and say I can’t remember the old Chinese dance from the Nutcracker (maybe I’ve forgotten it or maybe they re redid this one before the Arabian dance?) but I don’t find the new one bad, although it’s hardly amazing. If it's any help, JNC, the old Chinese dance is on the RB Nutcracker DVD with Yoshida and McRae as Sugar Plum Fairy and Prince, while the new one is on the DVD with Lauren Cuthbertson and Federico Bonelli as Sugar Plum Fairy and Prince. While I do like the new one much more, I would never have asked for the old production to be banned- I think theatregoers know the Act 2 divertissements are not meant to be real life. Tamara Rojo did actually cut out the Arabian Dance from the ENB Nutcracker in her last 2 seasons at ENB and employed a modified version prior to that. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emeralds Posted February 17 Share Posted February 17 (edited) 10 minutes ago, Roberta said: It appears La Bayadere was cancelled in Kent also. https://www.kentlive.news/news/kent-news/chatham-theatre-cancels-controversial-la-6207067 There's a more detailed piece here about some of the problems, and how various companies are tackling them. This isn't an isolated incident. https://pointemagazine.com/la-bayadere-orientalist-stereotypes/ I wonder if Tamara Roja will have any difficulties in San Francisco? I'd have advised against trying to stage a huge ballet like La Bayadere on a shoestring budget in a small theatre like Brook Theatre in Chatham! Would they have only space for Kingdom of 10 Shades? Or just 8? The article quotes blackface makeup which is definitely wrong which I think everyone would agree is a no-no. They haven't even named the ensemble, which sounds from the last paragraph like it might be an amateur group. I think they've done the group a favour- there are far better ballets or excerpts (we haven't even got to the challenges of those wobble-prone arabesques and developpes yet) for small amateur groups. Edited February 17 by Emeralds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roberta Posted February 17 Share Posted February 17 Reality is this is an issue that has been rumbling around for a considerable time, it has affected many companies worldwide. It's not simply one man and a small company touring the UK. Here is Boston Ballet's statement on programming Kingdom of the Shades for the 2023 / 24 season, as opposed to the full ballet. It does believe the full ballet poses difficulties. https://www.bostonballet.org/home/the-company/a-statement-on-kingdom-of-the-shades/ I look forward to seeing how Rojo deals with this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnePigeon Posted February 18 Share Posted February 18 It’s an old ballet that isn’t steeped in authentic Indian dance or culture, and neither does it purport to be: it’s a Russian ballet set in India. I don’t think Giselle is an accurate depiction of peasant life in Middle Ages Rhineland either, do we need to revise that by making it more accurate? We’re going down the route of decrying anything depicting something that isn’t Western as some kind of perjorative cultural appropriation, regardless of whether it’s actually culturally insensitive or just a fantastical story set outside Europe. The world won’t end because La Bayadere is no longer performed, but the censoring and self censoring that’s occurring in the Arts at the moment is not a very healthy environment for creativity to thrive as we narrow down who is allowed to tell which stories. I haven’t seen La Bayadere for years and accept its possible that some things need tweaking if need be, but I’m not sure we need to consign it to the dustbin of history because of how the fakirs moved, or because it’s inauthentically Indian, or Nikiya isn’t an Indian name, isn’t performing proper temple dance and is often danced by white women - that’s a racial slippery slope I really don’t wish to go down. As long as no one is applying makeup to make themselves look like a different race, in this era of blind casting, I would be very uncomfortable with a caveat being that the dancers must be from a certain racial background. Back to the topic though, that’s fantastic news that Rojo has been given such a cash injection - would that these donations were more numerous. Imagine how it could help Northern Ballet right now. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roberta Posted February 18 Share Posted February 18 For those who haven't read it I will post all of Boston Ballet's statement here. I think it provides context for what I suspect will spread more widely to other companies. This is not new and it's actually hardly news, many other ballet companies are looking at their schedules and saying there are problems, how can we deal with them? See Paris Opera, as I said above. It's not Rojo and it's not SF Ballet but Boston is a large, highly regarded company and this cannot be readily dismissed. Kevin O'Hare has also signed the Final Bow for Yellowface pledge. "Boston Ballet’s 2023–2024 season includes a 25-minute work of classical ballet known as Kingdom of the Shades. Widely recognized as one of the grandest examples of nineteenth-century Russian ballet choreography, Kingdom of the Shades is an abstract scene depicting 28 female dancers performing in unison along with a pas de deux between a male and female dancer. Kingdom of the Shades is an excerpt of a full-length ballet called La Bayadère. In our ongoing commitment to DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION, Boston Ballet is not presenting the full-length production of La Bayadère. We recognize its problematic storyline and strongly disagree with its appropriation of South Asian culture. It is important for the Company to preserve the best of classical choreography without perpetuating culturally insensitive and offensive portrayals. The sets and costumes of Kingdom of the Shades do not appropriate cultural scenes or clothing. We do not believe the scene reinforces any negative stereotypes or problematic themes present in the full ballet. Boston Ballet remains committed to our institution-wide DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION work, including staff training, building a racially diverse team, and evolving the relevance of our artistic identity and repertoire. We also credit Phil Chan, a thought leader in the field and author of Final Bow for Yellowface and Banishing Orientalism. Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen has signed Phil Chan’s Final Bow for Yellowface 2018 PLEDGE as a commitment to eliminate outdated and offensive stereotypes of Asians on our stages. It is because of these commitments that we recognize the problematic history of La Bayadère and chose not to present the full ballet in our 2023–2024 season." https://www.bostonballet.org/home/the-company/a-statement-on-kingdom-of-the-shades/# 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnePigeon Posted February 18 Share Posted February 18 I have read the Boston Ballet statement, but I want to know specifically what is deemed insensitive and offensive in La Bayadere (I’m not saying either way if I think it is or isn’t, I just need to know beyond these broad platitudes what exactly is problematic.) If they can’t mount anything with cultural appropriation then surely no company is allowed to depict anything from a culture outside their own - so the RB need to stick to Enigma Variations, Birthday Offering and maybe some abstract works. Where do we stand on Shakespeare though? Can we still perform Romeo and Juliet, as Shakespeare was English, or should we leave that to Milan as it’s set in Italy? Or maybe he was the ultimate cultural appropriator and should be banned? Or is it only some cultures that can’t be appropriated? So many questions.... 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roberta Posted February 18 Share Posted February 18 There's a little further reading here. https://www.sundialpress.co/2022/05/12/la-bayadere-orientalism-racism-and-classical-ballet/ On the topic of that huge donation to SF ballet. Very welcome indeed though arts funding in the US is very different to that in the UK and there are large tax breaks for donors. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roberta Posted February 18 Share Posted February 18 13 minutes ago, OnePigeon said: Can we still perform Romeo and Juliet, as Shakespeare was English, or should we leave that to Milan as it’s set in Italy? Shakespeare used the story, it didn't originate with him. And to quote from that piece I linked above Nonetheless, I believe the conversation around “La Bayadère” and other similar ballets—notably Scheherazade and Le Corsaire—provides the public with an opportunity to understand how artistic narratives affect cultural interpretations and dynamics. While it is not a question of canceling it altogether, the ballet cannot be excused as a product of its time. Companies must do better not only to increase diversity, but also include non-Western perspectives to their creative interpretations to create a more sensible, but overall more human and respectful approach to an art that has historically been monopolized by a distinctly Western, white, and exclusive circle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fonty Posted February 18 Share Posted February 18 1 hour ago, OnePigeon said: It’s an old ballet that isn’t steeped in authentic Indian dance or culture, and neither does it purport to be: it’s a Russian ballet set in India. I don’t think Giselle is an accurate depiction of peasant life in Middle Ages Rhineland either, do we need to revise that by making it more accurate? We’re going down the route of decrying anything depicting something that isn’t Western as some kind of perjorative cultural appropriation, regardless of whether it’s actually culturally insensitive or just a fantastical story set outside Europe. The world won’t end because La Bayadere is no longer performed, but the censoring and self censoring that’s occurring in the Arts at the moment is not a very healthy environment for creativity to thrive as we narrow down who is allowed to tell which stories. I haven’t seen La Bayadere for years and accept its possible that some things need tweaking if need be, but I’m not sure we need to consign it to the dustbin of history because of how the fakirs moved, or because it’s inauthentically Indian, or Nikiya isn’t an Indian name, isn’t performing proper temple dance and is often danced by white women - that’s a racial slippery slope I really don’t wish to go down. As long as no one is applying makeup to make themselves look like a different race, in this era of blind casting, I would be very uncomfortable with a caveat being that the dancers must be from a certain racial background. Back to the topic though, that’s fantastic news that Rojo has been given such a cash injection - would that these donations were more numerous. Imagine how it could help Northern Ballet right now. Agree with every word you say. At this rate, we will be lucky to see anything other than a few tutu ballets. And how long will it be before someone somewhere decides that those costumes are inappropriate because they frequently display the gussets of the ladies. With regard to Rojo, well done. I shall be interested to see what she does with this money in the future. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roberta Posted February 18 Share Posted February 18 I note, with I admit a certain amount of dismay, that no-one really has actually engaged with the substance of why these ballets are seen as problematic and how offensive certain stereotypes are, especially to many of those not of a western and white background. Dancers themselves are asking for changes, as companies (and audiences) become more culturally and ethnically diverse. I'm not really sure that 'if you don't like it don't go' is the way forward in these particular circumstances and clearly, in the wider world of ballet than this forum, nor do those in charge of companies. Sir Peter Wright got it, as did company management, at Birmingham RB and the Royal Ballet https://www.seeingdance.com/birmingham-royal-ballet-nutcracker-221123/ In Act II, the company grabbed the chance to show off in the themed Spanish, Arabian, Chinese and Russian dances. Having removed the awkward and serious issues around the Chinese dance a few years ago, the Arabian has been similarly re-choreographed to remove the old-fashioned stereotypes it too contained but while still keeping faith with tradition and heritage. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scheherezade Posted February 18 Share Posted February 18 2 hours ago, Roberta said: We also credit Phil Chan, a thought leader in the field and author of Final Bow for Yellowface and Banishing Orientalism. I find the appellation “a thought leader” very worrying. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanartus Posted February 18 Share Posted February 18 3 minutes ago, Scheherezade said: I find the appellation “a thought leader” very worrying. Honestly, please don’t get caught up on/in this admittedly clunky appellation. He’s really doing some interesting stuff and what he writes does make sense about changing sensitivities and sensibilities. He did a fascinating live production in the Brighton Pavilion a few years ago, where he restored/recreated a “chinoiserie” dance piece: https://nyuarthistory.wordpress.com/2021/12/01/contemporary-reinterpretation-of-the-ballet-des-porcelaines-also-known-as-the-teapot-prince/ 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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