Japan, 15 January 2011:  La Bayadere, Season 2010/2011, will play at the Opera Theatre from 15 to 23 January.   La Bayadere was the first ballet to be produced with revised choreography by Artistic Director Maki Asami and its production had all the formal beauty of classic ballet, with spectacular, rapid stage transformations and lush stage art with deep oriental shades.  These qualities gave the production an originality not seen in the original version, and made it a great success.  

David Bintley, who has seen ballets all over the globe, praised La Bayadere as having the highest degree of perfection of any in the world.  This ballet was produced again 2008, and the decision has been made to bring it back for a third run.

One performance highlight is the dance of the Shades in the dream scene, when the Shades slowly dance their way down a three-their, 99mo slope.  Then at the end of the story, the temple collapses in a thunderous roar, and Nikiya and Solor emerge from the ruins and ascend to the heavens in a scene of breathtaking beauty.  The score for this closing scene was specially arranged for the NNTT by the late John Lanchbery, one of the great conductors and arrangers of the ballet world.  The characters of La Bayadere weave a fascinating drama not seen in more traditional ballets like Swan Lake or Sleeping Beauty.  

For ticketing information, log on to http://www.nntt.jac.go.jp/english/ballet/e20000349_4_ballet.html.

Don Quixote and International Ballet Gala



Malaysia, 10 January 2011: Danceworks Production once again puts up a weekend of ballet extravaganza for Malaysian enthusiasts.  Come 14 to 16 January 2011, Istana Budaya's resplendent stage will come alive with the showcase of Don Quixote and the International Ballet Gala featuring some of the best in ballet such as Australian Ballet Principal Artist, Robert Curran and Ena Ballet Studio Company Co-Artistic Director, Ena Hirose, and some of Malaysia's top ballerinas and danseurs.

These two shows promise to be spectacular with a program line-up that includes ‘Don Quixote’, and ‘Flames of Paris’, ‘Luna’ and ‘Swan Lake’ by the International Ballet Gala.  All proceeds from the performances will be given to the charity organizations - Leu Lions Lyfeline Leukaemia Fund, Yayasan Sin Chew, Hospis, Living Hope Malaysia, SPCA, Kiwanis Down Syndrome, National Kidney Foundation, Persatuan Diabetes Malaysia and Monfort Boys Town, among others.

Don Quixote is scheduled to run on 14 and 16 January 2011 while the International Ballet Gala is scheduled on 15 January 2011. Both shows will be held at Istana Budaya. Tickets prices are RM220, RM180, RM140, RM100 and RM50. Tickets bought before 1 December 2010 will get the early bird price at RM198, RM162, RM126, RM90 and RM45 respectively. There will also be a group price discount of 10% for a group of 10 or more for the same show.  

Advanced bookings can be made at www.danceworks2011.com or you can contact Dr. Chen at 017-608 5025 or call 03-4257 7642 (Sunny/Helen).