Last night, LIVING got invited to the Northern Ballet – Madame Butterfly with perpetuum Mobile at The Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, and we were truly blown away by the talented cast members who never failed to engage maximum effort from start to finish.
The performance began with the Perpetuum Mobile (Perpetual Motion) which was a 17 minute piece demonstrating the dancers athletic best. This is where the audience have the chance to see the sheer strength and prowess of Northern Ballet dancers.
After a short interval, Madame Butterfly began. The well-known story of a American Navel officer Pinkerton marries a quiet, naive geisha as a distraction from the war. The geisha, Madame Butterfly betrays her religion and adopts her husbands faith committing her to him forever, meaning she is now an outcast among her friends, pushing her into the arms of Pinkerton.
When the navel officer, Pinkerton leaves Japan, the start of Butterfly’s patient vigil begins, burdened with the birth of their son. Three years on Butterfly receives a letter from Pinkerton explaining that he has no plans to return to her leaving her in despair. When the marriage broker attempts to sell her again, Butterfly chases the men to the harbor only to be seized by the arrival of Pinkertons ship.
Upon a realisation of discovering Pinkerton has a new American wife, Butterfly is filled with grief and desperation and accepts his American wife, later surrendering her son. Left alone, deserted by family, husband, religion and child, Butterfly retreats back to the only thing she has left – her culture. In this culture, freedom from lives dishonor can be found through ritual suicide. Her fathers Samurai sword, her only inheritance, frees Butterfly at last.
The whole performance completely enchanted us. The depiction of the story-line was clear throughout despite the lack of narration. Rachael Gillespie was perfect for her role, delivering an emotive performance throughout.
LIVING LOVES: We would highly recommend this show to anyone who enjoys and respects the art form of Ballet.
For tickets to the last performance in Staffordshire tonight, visit: here
The blurb:
Be moved this spring and let ‘Europe’s leading dance actors’ captivate you through a mix of powerful storytelling and classical dance as Northern Ballet perform two breathtaking ballets in one evening.
Northern Ballet transports you to Japan as the Company presents a new adaptation of its much-loved and heart-breakingly tragic Madame Butterfly. The inspiration for the world famous musical Miss Saigon, the story of Madame Butterfly tells of the doomed love affair between an American Naval Lieutenant and his young Japanese bride, Butterfly. Madly in love and prepared to sacrifice everything, Butterfly’s world falls apart when she is abandoned and betrayed.
Perpetuum Mobile (Perpetual Motion) doesn’t tell a story but does show off the dancers at their athletic best. The incredible strength and prowess of Northern Ballet’s dancers will leave you breathless. So let Northern Ballet’s uniquely expressive dancers sweep you away for an evening of unrivalled storytelling, dance and live music.