On February 10, the Shanghai Grand Theatre announced the cancellation of the March 6-8 Monte Carlo Ballet's "Taming of the Taming". This move aims to effectively protect the health and life safety of the audience and citizens, crew and cast members in accordance with the latest situation in the prevention and control of the new coronavirus pneumonia epidemic. On the same day, the 48th Hong Kong Arts Festival also announced that it would cancel all performances and activities of the festival in February and March, including the Monte Carlo Ballet's "Taming".
Known as "influencing the history of ballet art in the 20th century", the Monte Carlo Ballet performed "Romeo and Juliet", "Cinderella" and "Sleeping Beauty" at the Shanghai Grand Theatre in 2004, 2009 and 2010. Choreographed by Jean-Christopher Mayo, it premiered at the Bolshoi Theatre in 2014 and performed by the Bolshoi Theatre Ballet, and once premiered, it won three awards, including the Russian "Golden Mask Award" for Best Choreography Performance. In 2017, the Monte Carlo Ballet, of which Jean-Christopher Majoux is artistic director, recast Taming and premiered it at the Grimaldi Conference Centre in Monaco.
"Taming" tells the moving story of a "savage girlfriend" who is eventually "tamed" by love. For Jean-Christopher Major, although the script of "The Taming of the Taming" is adapted from Shakespeare's famous comedy work, he does not interpret the original story text as a "machismo" declaration, but interprets it as the encounter of two very different forces in nature, experiencing collisions and eventually becoming acquainted. The heroine of the play is no longer a light and elegant princess, but a pungent girl next door. On stage, she can bend over backwards, jump like thunder, can throw tricks, and can even drag sausages and hold hams and chew, so that the audience on the stage is stunned by such a "scale". Major takes a fresh perspective to reveal the personality traits, psychological states, and relationships between the main characters in the play. The work presents a modern atmosphere, with both original and inspiring dance rhythms, giving people a refreshing aesthetic experience. Musically, Major chose several pieces of music written by Shostakovich, including the well-known Mandarin Duck Tea.
As originally planned, monte Carlo Ballet's international tour consisted of three stops in Russia, Hong Kong and Shanghai. Zhang Xiaoding, general manager of the Shanghai Grand Theatre, said in an interview with the Jiefang Daily Shangguan News reporter: "This is a long-brewed tour, three stops are indispensable, only three stops are completed, the dance troupe and the theater can balance the cost of the tour of more than 100 cast members." It is reported that the Monte Carlo Ballet tour was originally scheduled to be completed in the second half of last year, but was suspended due to the Hong Kong station.
Including "Taming the Taming", the Shanghai Grand Theatre cancelled all performances and public cultural activities from March 1 to 15, a total of 5 stations and 17 performances, including the March 6 "One Man Classical" soloist series performances, Yang Tianwa violin solo concert, March 8 Hongqi Ode - March 8 Women's Day Classic Romantic Song Concert, March 10-15 Meng Jinghui's classic drama "Rhinoceros in Love".
Column Editor-in-Chief: Li Junna Text Editor: Jian Gongbo Title Image Source: Courtesy of the Organizer