A Filipino ‘Nutcracker’
December 8, 2003 | 12:00am
Tis the season for The Nutcracker. There are currently two productions of this popular holiday shows in Metro Manila. Ballet Manila is staging the Vainonen version at the Star Theater at Star City at the CCP Complex, while Ballet Philippines presents Edna Vida’s version of this ballet.
While the BM production hews closely to what may be considered a traditional version of The Nutcracker, Vida’s version is a Filipino retelling of this Christmas spectacle.
"I’ve always dreamed of deconstructing the popular ballets, but there aren’t opportunities to do that in Manila," Vida explains in an interview. "I wanted to do a radical rethinking of The Nutcracker, but Ballet Philippines would never allow me to do that because this is an important production. Many families look forward to The Nutcracker as the Christmas show to go to. We don’t want to drive away all those once-a-year ballet goers from seeing the show. A dance company will not risk that, because The Nutcracker is always a big money-maker."
This Nutcracker, while set in pre-war Philippines rather in a European milieu, still follows closely the original plot of Tchaikovsky’s popular ballet. However, instead of a ride through the snow, Clara and the Nutcracker Prince ride a calesa through the Kingdom of Fireflies to reach the Kingdom of the Fairy Dolls, where the Nutcracker Prince and the Sugar Plum Fairy reign.
This production is a restaging by Ida Beltran Lucila of Vida’s choreography dating back to 1987. Despite this, BP has pulled out all stops in making this show one of its biggest for the year. Production design is by National Artist Salvador Bernal, while lighting design is by Jon-jon Villareal.
"They have actually reconstructed the sets from the original production," Vida says. "This is really the perfect Christmas gift for the whole family. It is quite rare for ballet companies to mount a full-dress production, one with a complete corps de ballet, a rigodon de honor of celebrities and children on stage. It is a full Christmas spectacle that the family shouldn’t miss. If the family should only see one show this Christmas, they should make it this one."
Lucila, who restaged much of the ballet from video recordings of the original production, says Vida’s choreography isn’t that easy.
"The solos are really difficult," Lucila adds. "I think she was trying to exorcise her anger through her choreographies."
This Nutcracker also marks the debut of many Ballet Philippines company members in full-fledged classical leads. The Sugar Plum Fairy will be danced by Kris-Belle Paclibar, Mica Bernas and Hanedy Sala, while the role of the Nutcracker Prince will be danced by Clark Rambuyon, Irish Abejero and Jojo Mamangun.
For many ballet dancers, assuming these roles are important for their careers. "Many important dancers often get their breaks from dancing these roles," says Vida.
Ballet Philippines’ restaging of Edna Vida’s The Nutcracker will have daily performances (except Mondays) until Dec. 16 at the Main Theater (Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo) of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. There are 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. shows from Tuesday to Sunday and 2 and 8 p.m. shows on Saturday.
For ticket inquiries, call Ballet Philippines at 551-1003, 551-0221 or 832-6011 or visit www.ballet.com.ph.
While the BM production hews closely to what may be considered a traditional version of The Nutcracker, Vida’s version is a Filipino retelling of this Christmas spectacle.
"I’ve always dreamed of deconstructing the popular ballets, but there aren’t opportunities to do that in Manila," Vida explains in an interview. "I wanted to do a radical rethinking of The Nutcracker, but Ballet Philippines would never allow me to do that because this is an important production. Many families look forward to The Nutcracker as the Christmas show to go to. We don’t want to drive away all those once-a-year ballet goers from seeing the show. A dance company will not risk that, because The Nutcracker is always a big money-maker."
This Nutcracker, while set in pre-war Philippines rather in a European milieu, still follows closely the original plot of Tchaikovsky’s popular ballet. However, instead of a ride through the snow, Clara and the Nutcracker Prince ride a calesa through the Kingdom of Fireflies to reach the Kingdom of the Fairy Dolls, where the Nutcracker Prince and the Sugar Plum Fairy reign.
This production is a restaging by Ida Beltran Lucila of Vida’s choreography dating back to 1987. Despite this, BP has pulled out all stops in making this show one of its biggest for the year. Production design is by National Artist Salvador Bernal, while lighting design is by Jon-jon Villareal.
"They have actually reconstructed the sets from the original production," Vida says. "This is really the perfect Christmas gift for the whole family. It is quite rare for ballet companies to mount a full-dress production, one with a complete corps de ballet, a rigodon de honor of celebrities and children on stage. It is a full Christmas spectacle that the family shouldn’t miss. If the family should only see one show this Christmas, they should make it this one."
Lucila, who restaged much of the ballet from video recordings of the original production, says Vida’s choreography isn’t that easy.
"The solos are really difficult," Lucila adds. "I think she was trying to exorcise her anger through her choreographies."
This Nutcracker also marks the debut of many Ballet Philippines company members in full-fledged classical leads. The Sugar Plum Fairy will be danced by Kris-Belle Paclibar, Mica Bernas and Hanedy Sala, while the role of the Nutcracker Prince will be danced by Clark Rambuyon, Irish Abejero and Jojo Mamangun.
For many ballet dancers, assuming these roles are important for their careers. "Many important dancers often get their breaks from dancing these roles," says Vida.
For ticket inquiries, call Ballet Philippines at 551-1003, 551-0221 or 832-6011 or visit www.ballet.com.ph.
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