By: Rosie Sharman-Ward
The Birmingham Royal Ballet are back with Carlos Acosta’s dazzling ballet, Don Quixote, bringing a welcome injection of Spanish sunshine and sheer joy. Within moments of the first scene in the town beginning my feet are tapping and a bubble of happiness spreads through me. Fiery ballerinas twirling in gorgeous costumes, reminiscent of my first jewellery box, proud matadors leaping and swirling silken capes, village maids, cheeky boys and a grumpy father. Classical ballet doesn’t get better than this.
Based on Cervantes’ novel of the same name, the narrative of this ballet focuses more on the love story between Kitri and Basilio rather than the eponymous gentleman. Having said that Acosta’s Don is lovingly portrayed with respect and gentle humour, trying the patience of his faithful servant, Sancho Panza as his grip on reality weakens.
Kitri, feisty daughter of the Innkeeper Lorenzo is in love with a poor barber named Basilio. Lorenzo will not countenance this match and insists she marry the wealthy foppish nobleman, Gamache. The young couple run away and hide in a gypsy encampment pursued by Lorenzo and Gamache along with Don Quixote and Panza. The gypsies chase Lorenzo and Gamache away and everyone settles around the campfire. This is quite possibly one of my favourite scenes with scorching choreography as the gypsies dance to flamenco guitars. Poor Don Quixote, Dominic Antonucci, is terrified, perceiving a windmill as a monster and is injured battling his imaginary enemy.
Throughout the entire production the characterisation is wonderful enhanced as it is by fabulous costume design and Carlos Acosta’s brilliant choreography. Beatrice Parma as Kitri is exquisite in her flame red dress, her dancing is absolutely breathtaking, gravity seems to have no hold on her. Her jealous sulks and petulance are delightful. Max Maslen as her Basilio is everything to be desired in a romantic hero and their partnership both in dance and narrative is joyous. Cowardly Gamache, Rory Mackay, with his blue rinse wig and ridiculous outfits. Swoon worthy Matadors strutting and displaying their skills with capes, making the ladies’ hearts beat a little faster. Sultry gypsies, dark and mysterious. All accompanied by the swish of an opening fan and the rhythmic clatter of castanets. I lose count of the virtuoso performances, these dancers are just incredible
The theme of lighthearted exuberance that runs through the entire ballet breaks out into many comic moments. Poor Don Quixote’s fever dream after his encounter with the windmill sees him surrounded by twinkly Dryads and the arrival of the extremely camp Amour, Tzu-Chao Chou, on stage, complete with huge beatific smile, has us laughing out loud. We see ladies faint and men fight; boys have their ears boxed and old men fooled. Such uplifting entertainment without descending into pantomime.
Performing the original score by Ludwig Minkus, arranged by Hans Vercauteren are the legendary Royal Ballet Sinfonia conducted tonight by Paul Murphy. Hans Vercauteren also composed the amazing flamenco style music for the gypsy campfire scene.
As the capacity audience head home, everyone has a smile on their faces, any cares they arrived with erased by the fiesta of glittery gladness that is Don Quixote.