Jan McNulty Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE Direction Nancy Meckler Choreography Annabelle Lopez Ochoa Music Peter Salem Design Niki Turner Lighting Design Tim Mitchell TouringUK: Inverness, Edinburgh, London – March 2015USA: Chicago, San Antonio, Houston, Pittsburgh, Charleston, Washington DC – May 2015 Three years after its world premiere wowed audiences across the UK, Scottish Ballet returns with its Critics’ Circle (Best Classical Choreography) and South Bank (Best Dance Production) award-winning production, A Streetcar Named Desire. One of the Company’s most popular productions, if you missed it the first time around now is your chance to find out what everyone was talking about! Following on from one of the Company’s biggest tours of all time, The Nutcracker, and an international tour to China with its iconic Romeo & Juliet, Scottish Ballet is now ready to hit the UK with its dramatic A Streetcar Named Desire. A Streetcar Named Desire will tour Inverness, Edinburgh and London before jetting off to the USA for a 4 week tour toChicago, San Antonio, Houston, Pittsburgh, Charleston and Washington DC. In a production set to a specially commissioned jazz-inspired score by award-winning composer Peter Salem, Scottish Ballet pushes the boundaries of narrative ballet with this collaboration of theatre and film director (Nancy Meckler) and choreographer (Annabelle Lopez Ochoa). “Heartbreakingly beautiful”– The Telegraph, ***** “An incredibly dynamic, exhilarating and edgy production.”– The List, ***** “A tour-de-force for Scottish Ballet.” – The Herald, ***** “The result is everything you could want of Tennessee Williams. – florid, poetic, poisonously beautiful.” – The Evening Standard This tour will see the return of Eve Mutso as Blanche and Sophie Martin in the role of Stella. Erik Cavallari will be dancing alongside as the dark and disturbed Stanley. Making his debut in the role of Stanley is Scottish principalChristopher Harrison who will be sharing the stage with rising stars Luciana Ravizzi and Sophie Laplane, embodying Blanche and Stella respectively. Trying to leave a troubled past behind her, fading southern belle Blanche DuBois moves into her sister Stella’s New Orleans apartment. Stella’s brutish husband Stanley sees that Blanche is not what she appears to be, and sets out to destroy her. “In 2012 this collaborative project pushed boundaries with an alternative approach to narrative ballet. The intensity of theatre and the characters enabled Scottish Ballet’s dancers to continue to develop their acting skills; and they haven’t looked back, bringing new drama to productions such as Romeo & Juliet, Highland Fling and The Crucible since 2012. We’re thrilled to be bringing A Streetcar Named Desire back for our audiences and to give those who may have missed their chance in the past to sit down and witness this evocative and powerful drama. To be able to not only bring it back to the UK but also overseas to the USA is a pleasure and we can’t wait to bring this production to new audiences across the world.” Christopher Hampson, Scottish Ballet Artistic Director In 2013, Scottish Ballet took A Streetcar Named Desire to the USA for the first time, right back to the city in which the story was born – New Orleans. The Company then travelled on to Florida over a period of two weeks, with the production being rapturously received across all dates.“It was a triumph in New Orleans, and for New Orleans, and one suspects that Tennessee Williams would have been mighty pleased, too.” – NOLA.com Click here for full 2015 touring dates EDITORS NOTES: Nancy Meckler BiographyFrom 1989-2011 Nancy Meckler ran Shared Experience Theatre. Her productions which toured extensively in the UK and abroad included Anna Karenina (TMA Award Best Touring Production), A Passage to India, Heartbreak House, The Bacchae, Mother Courage, A Passage to India, The Caucasian Chalk Circle, Bronte, and with co- Artistic director Polly Teale, Mill on the Floss and War and Peace. Nancy was the first woman to direct at the National Theatre (Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?). As Associate Director for Hampstead Theatre, productions included Uncle Vanya, Buried Child, and West End transfers of Dennis Potter's Sufficient Carbohydrate and Pam Gems' Dusa, Fish, Stas and Vi. She was for three years Associate Director at Leicester Haymarket where she directed Macbeth, The Cherry Orchard, Twelfth Night, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She has worked for the Royal Court, Young Vic, Women's Playhouse Trust, Watermill and the Almeida where she directed Antony Sher in his own play, I.D. Nancy has directed six Sam Shepard plays, including A Particle of Dread: Oedipus Variations with Stephen Rea which played Derry City of Culture and Signature Theater in New York City in 2014. For the Royal Shakespeare Company, House of Desires, Comedy of Errors, Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Alls Well that Ends Well and The Heresy of Love. Also Nancy has directed two feature films: Sister My Sister and Martin Sherman’s film about a dance company Alive and Kicking (Audience Award for Best Film, London Film Festival 1997; Grand Prix Luchon Festival; Most Popular Film San Paolo Film Festival). Nancy’s first foray into ballet is this collaboration with choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa which won Outstanding Dance Production at Southbank Awards 2012 and was an Olivier nominee for Best Dance Production. Annabelle Lopez Ochoa BiographyAnnabelle Lopez Ochoa completed her dance studies at the Royal Ballet Academy of Antwerp, Belgium. As a professional dancer, she appeared with various companies in Germany before joining in 1993, the modern-jazz dance company Djazzex based in The Hague. In 1997, she joined the Scapino Ballet Rotterdam, where she danced as a soloist for 7 years, and in 2003, she decided to focus her creative energies entirely to choreography. Annabelle has created works for Scapino Ballet Rotterdam, Dutch National Ballet, Djazzex, Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genève, The Royal Ballet of Flanders, Gran Canaria Ballet, Gothenburg Ballet, State Modern Ballet Ankara, Pennsylvania Ballet, BalletX, BJM-Danse Montreal, Luna Negra Dance Theatre Chicago, Ballet National de Marseille, Saarbrucken Ballet, Jacoby & Pronk, Chemnitzer Ballet and Ballet Hispanico. The critically acclaimed Before After which Annabelle created for the Dutch National Ballet in 2002 has been performed at the Dance Passion Festival in the Netherlands, the New York Fall for Dance Festival, the Houston Dance Salad Festival, the 2007 Orange County Fall for Dance Festival, the 2010 Murcia Gala (Spain) and throughout Sweden by the Gothenburg Ballet. Annabelle has won several choreography prizes; in 2002 with Clair/Obscur at the Hannover’s Choreographers competition and in 2003 the first prize and public’s prize with Replay at the International Choreographer’s Competition of Bornem. In 2007, she was selected to participate with the prestigious New York Choreographic Institute, and in 2009, her pieces Zip Zap Zoom (BJM-Danse Montreal) and Nube Blanco (Luna Negra Dance Theater) were included in the list of 10 best dance highlights of the year. Her piece One, created for independent artist Drew Jacoby and Rubinald Pronk has been acquired by Christopher Wheeldon’s Company Morphoses and presented at Sadlers’ Wells in London, Vail and New York City Centre in 2008 as well as at the Dance Salad Festival in Houston, Titas Gala in Cincinatti and on the YAPG tour to Mexico. In 2010, Annabelle reworked the duet ONE into a quartet especially for Jacob’s Pillow Festival. Dancer Biographies Eve Mutso studied at the Tallinn Ballet School, Estonia, in 1999. She went on to join the Estonian National Ballet, dancing Olympia in Bigonzetti’s Coppélia, Helen in Cannito’s Cassandra and solo roles in Anna Karenina, Esmeralda, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Giselle. Eve joined Scottish Ballet in 2003. She was nominated by the Critics Circle National Dance Awards for the Richard Sherrington Award for Best Female Dancer in 2005 and 2013. In 2011, Eve performed as a guest artist with Estonian National Ballet dancing the title role in Kenneth MacMillan's Manon. Eve was promoted to Principal in March 2014. Sophie Martin was born in the French city of Cherbourg, trained at the Conservatory National Supérieur of Paris under the tuition of Noëlla Auguste, and performed with the Junior Ballet. She has also worked with leading dancers and choreographers in France. She joined Scottish Ballet in 2003 and was promoted to Principal in August 2008. Sophie was number 20 in The List magazine’s Hot 100 poll of influential figures in Scottish culture in December 2008. She received the award for Outstanding Female Performance (Classical) at the 2011 Critic’s Circle National Dance Awards. In 2014, Sophie performed at the XX Commonwealth Games opening ceremony alongside fellow Principal Christopher Harrison, and the Ryder Cup Gala Concert with Lewis Landini. Erik Cavallari was born in Brescia, Italy and trained at the Associazione Balletto Classico under the guidance of Marinel Stefanescu. He joined the company in 1997 and performed as a soloist, dancing in classic and neoclassic repertory. In 1999 he appeared with the Ballet de Victor Ullate in Madrid and joined Scottish Ballet in 2001. He was promoted to Principal in 2004. Christopher Harrison trained at The Dance School of Scotland, and The Royal Ballet Upper School. Christopher joined Dresden State Opera, Germany, in 2001 and danced solo roles in Neumeier’s The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, as well as Derevianko’s Giselle and Don Quixote, and Lazzini’s La Fille mal gardée. He joined Scottish Ballet in summer 2005, was promoted to Coryphée in July 2007 and to Principal in 2013. Christopher Harrison is sponsored by Artemis. Luciana Ravizzi was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina and trained at the Royal Ballet School, going on tour with the Royal Ballet and dancing in Swan Lake and Giselle. She joined Scottish Ballet in 2002 and was promoted to Soloist in March 2014. Luciana is sponsored by Baillie Guifford Sophie Laplane trained at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Paris winning the Prize of the CNSMDP Mention Bien. Prior to this, she trained at the Paris Opera Ballet School. She danced with Le Ballet de Lorraine and The Junior Ballet Classique du Conservatoire de Paris. Sophie joined Scottish Ballet in winter 2004, and was promoted to Coryphée in July 2011. A Streetcar Named Desire in 2012 Prior to the anticipated world premiere in 2012, Nancy Meckler said, “Coming into the world of dance from a theatre background is a new and thrilling adventure. I have hugely enjoyed the process of working with Annabelle to explore exciting ways to re-imagine Tennessee Williams' passionate story through the imagery of dance.” Annabelle and Nancy powerfully translated this incredible story about desires into dance movement. “From the moment I first read A Streetcar Named Desire, I knew I wanted to make it into a ballet,” says Annabelle. “It was a wonderful challenge to reinterpret the intense drama and complex psychology of the characters, and the chemistry of the collaboration is incredible.” Nancy, Artistic Director for Shared Experience Theatre, has previously directed for the National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company amongst others, and on Broadway and in the West End. She has also directed two feature films – Sister My Sister and Alive and Kicking. Annabelle is an award-winning choreographer and has made works for Dutch National Ballet, The Royal Ballet of Flanders and more, and created choreography for international fashion designers Viktor & Rolf. This joint collaboration with Nancy and Annabelle explores a powerful infusion of drama and dance, set to a brand new jazz score, played live by the Scottish Ballet orchestra, from composer Peter Salem whose most recent work included the music for critically acclaimed three-part BBC drama Five Daughters. This award-winning production for Scottish Ballet also features striking vintage styled costumes and an atmospheric stripped back yet powerful set from designer Niki Turner. Education and Outreach Scottish Ballet presents a range of opportunities to find out more about the themes and making of this brand new production through its Get Closer activities. Hear about the making of A Streetcar Named Desire direct from members of Scottish Ballet’s Artistic and Music staff at a range of free pre-show talks throughout the tour or discover the inspiration behind the choreography, music and designs and watch the Company taking class on stage by attending an Insight event. http://www.scottishballet.co.uk/a-streetcar-named-desire/get-closer.html Listings Scottish Ballet presents A Streetcar Named Desire UK Eden Court Theatre, Inverness Thu 12 – Sat 14 Mar 2015 Evenings 12-14 Mar – 7.30pm Matinee 14 Mar – 2pm Free pre-show talks at 6.30pm on Thu 12 Mar with Artistic Staff and Fri 13 Mar with Music staff. Call box office to reserve tickets.Free post-show discussion immediately following the performance on Fri 13 Mar. Tickets £10-£30. Discounts available - please contact box office. Box office 01463 234 234 (bkg fee) Festival Theatre, Edinburgh Wed 18 – Sat 21 Mar 2015 Evenings 18-21 Mar - 7.30pm Matinee 21 Mar – 2pm Box office 0131 529 6000 (bkg fee) Free pre-show talks at 6.30pm on Thu 19 Mar with Artistic Staff and Fri 20 Mar with Music staff. Call box office to reserve tickets.Free post-show discussion immediately following the performance on Fri 20 Mar. Sadler's Wells, London Tue 31 Mar – Thu 2 Apr 2015 - 7.30pm Free pre-show talk at 6.30pm on Thu 26 April. Call box office to reserve tickets. Tickets from £12-£40. Discounts available - please contact box office. Box office 0844 412 4300 (bkg fee) USA Harris Theater, ChicagoThu 7 – Sat 9 May 2015 – 7.30pm www.harristheaterchicago.orgTobin Center, San AntonioTue 12 May 2015 – 7.30pm www.tobincenter.org Brown Theater, HoustonFri 15 May 2015 – 7.30pm www.spahouston.org Byham Theater, PittsburghTue 19 May 2015 – 7.30pm www.pittsburgh-theater.com Spoleto Festival College of Charleston Sottile Theatre, CharlestonFri 22 - Sun 24 May 2015www.spoletousa.org Kennedy Center, Washington DCThu 28 – Sat 30 May 2015 Evenings 28-30 May – 7.30pmMatinee 30 May – 1.30pmwww.kennedy-center.org Online Twitter Takeover – Fri 27 February 2015 On Friday 27 February, Scottish Ballet will be following Eve Mutso’s day on Twitter. From morning class and rehearsals, to breaks and visits to wardrobe and the “shoe cupboard”, prepare for a unique insight into the life of principal dancer Eve as she prepares for the role of Blanche DuBois. Uncut – Fri 6 March 2015 A live and exclusive behind the scenes look at the unique rehearsal process for A Streetcar Named Desire. This will show how Eve Mutso is coached as she works on her characterisation of Blanche DuBois, one of the most iconic roles in American theatre. Uncut will be released live on Scottish Ballet’s website on Fri 6 March 2015. Other films available: Photoshoot film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4EjmqUbsOs&list=PLKxCoygoxNetJQFD1ZSAzxKp-E56AbrrW Making of https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g13z7Sg5kOg&list=UUlRbXAibuRQXlJJqiIiEzcQ (done in 2012 for the World Premiere tour of A Streetcar Named Desire). ENDS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naomi M Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 Their tour looks wonderful. Too bad their Japan tour expected in March was cancelled due to unknown reasons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ballettaxi Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 DD and I saw this on the opening night in Glasgow first time round - absolutely amazing. Just bought tickets to catch it again in Edinburgh in a couple of weeks time. Really looking forward to it. If you get a chance to see it, I can't recommend it enough - amazing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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