Pinnochio is Tutus on Tour's captivating centrepiece.
Ballerinas in elegant white tutus and sparkling tiaras, tall mysterious creatures, a naughty puppet and a good fairy are the ingredients of a charming programme for this year’s Tutus on Tour by the Royal New Zealand Ballet.
Two works, one an exposition of pure classical technique, the other a vivacious interpretation of the Italian classic Pinocchio, come from opposing ends of the dance spectrum, yet both are steeped in ballet tradition. They are ideally suited for the popular tour of small-town New Zealand over the next month.
Verdi Variations, by RNZB Ballet Master Greg Horsman, is set to Verdi’s rich, warm ballet music from his operas I Vespri Siciliani and Jerusalem. Clarity of composition, clean lines, precise point work for the women and challenging beats and leaps for the men require discipline and strength from the dancers.
On the North Island touring company’s opening night in Wellington, the five couples, led with style by Abigail Boyle and Qi Huan, brought musicality and balance to Horsman’s well-craftedchoreography.
Toby Behan, a former RNZB dancer, dips into the traditions of Italian Commedia dell’Arte for his captivating full-length work, Pinocchio. Framed by the story’s larger-than-life characters, the work balances humour and drama with danger and cruelty, reflecting the intent of the original story by Carlo Collodi.
The small cast and intimate design by Julian Southgate create a storybook telling of Pinocchio’s adventures. Set to ballet music Les Deux Pigeons by André Messager, expressive choreography and mime reveal the truth of each character.
Mischievous town boy Lampwick (Medhi Angot), with razor leaps and flamboyant insolence, bamboozles the hapless Pinocchio (Pierre Doncq). Slinky no-good Cat (Adriana Harper), paw-in-glove with conniving Fox (Paul Mathews), flaunting his disingenuous attitude and bushy tail, soon steals his money. With commanding sweeps, Stromboli (Jaered Glavin), maestro of the travelling show, controls all; sweet Columbina’s (Tonia Looker) stilted dance with Pinocchio breaks Arlequino’s (Helio Lima) marionette heart.
Geppetto, the lonely old carpenter who creates Pinocchio, suffers robbery, humiliation and near death before realising his dear wish to have a son. Qi Huan, with grey wig and stooped back, is utterly convincing. The Blue Fairy, danced by Antonia Hewitt, combines tender attention and old-fashioned magic to give life to Pinocchio.
Doncq as Pinocchio is a mix of wooden stiffness and an endearing exuberance; his pointy nose and curiosity lead him astray, but ultimately he has a good heart. It is almost an anti-climax when he becomes a real boy.