Tamara Rojo – Photo Credit: Karolina Kuras
Tamara Rojo CBE, Artistic Director of English National Ballet, will create a new version of the classic 19th-century ballet, Raymonda, after Marius Petipa. Marking her first foray into choreography and direction, Rojo adapts the three-act production for today’s audiences, revisiting this important but rarely performed work of the ballet canon which is not, in its entirety, in any other UK dance companies’ repertoire.
Bringing the story into the setting of the Crimean war and drawing inspiration from the ground-breaking spirit and work of the women supporting the war effort, including Florence Nightingale in this her bicentennial year, Raymonda is recast as a young woman with a calling to become a nurse. With a new narrative and developed characterisation bringing women’s voices to the fore, Rojo’s Raymonda introduces a heroine in command of her own destiny.
Tamara Rojo CBE said: “It continues to be a part of my vision for English National Ballet to look at classics with fresh eyes, to make them relevant, find new contexts, amplify new voices and ultimately evolve the art form.
“I have truly enjoyed delving into the creative process of adapting and choreographing a large-scale ballet and have been inspired by Florence Nightingale’s drive and passion.”
Rojo brings together a stellar production team for Raymonda with costume and set design by Antony McDonald, lighting design by Mark Henderson, dramaturgy by Lucinda Coxon, character dances by Vadim Sirotin, and choreology research and advice on the Sergeyev notation by Doug Fullington. Alexander Glazunov’s original score, with music arrangement by Gavin Sutherland, will be performed live by English National Ballet Philharmonic. Raymonda is a Co-Production between English National Ballet and Finnish National Ballet.
The world premiere tour of Raymonda will arrive in Milton Keynes Theatre from Wednesday 28 to Saturday 31 October.
ATG TheatreCard Pre-sale: 3 February 2020
General on-sale: 5 February 2020
Performances: Wed 28 to Sat 31 October 2020
Box Office: 0844 871 7652*
Online Booking: ATGTICKETS.COM/MiltonKeynes*
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