Old & Young
“Don Quixote”
Royal Danish Ballet
Copenhagen, Denmark
5 March 2022
According to the handout program, on opening night May 2022, Nikolaj Hübbe claimed that Marius Petipa´s “Don Quixote” is one the greatest Russian Classics. I myself will not go that far. However, I will support that “The Don” provides both classical and comical dancing and acting.
“Don Quixote” arrived at The Royal Danish Ballet in 1983 and became a great hit, as well as having a significant number of runs in the following years. It proved to be a great match with the Royal Danish ballet´s owns stars in acting as well as comedy - all going back to the Bournonville lessons that have remained until this time. “Don Quixote” had since remained a standing member of the RDB. However, some changes have hit “The Don” and made it somewhat more difficult to keep the performances on a high level.
The Reason Why
The changes are connected to the decision of lowering the age of the dancers significantly. Thereby it left the company to cope with fewer dancers who did not knew as much of the repertoire. It also puts Nikolaj Hübbe in a difficult situation. He is constantly looking to find dancers from abroad, who have to move to a different company with different skills. I am not aware whether the newcomers will benefit from the same incomes as the RDB dancers or whether it will be on a lover income. Nevertheless, several of the newcomers stay for a significant time.
The Decision to go for the Don
Putting “Don Quixote” back on the stage this year looked like a good idea. However, it became clear that the RDB no longer has the team of outstanding character dancers, partly due to lowering the age barrier.
The role of Don Quixote himself was given to Peter Bo Bendixen, who although he has become older, still looks like more of a younger well-kept man than the Don. Former RDB star Alexander Kølpin took on not only the role of Sancho Panza as well as an impressive layer of “fat”, which I hope he can shed after the night’s performance. Even though the two dancers did all they could, however they could not fill their roles, either acting wise or body wise. However, they still look too young.
The roles of the young lovers were given to principals Holly Dorger and Jonathan Chmelensky who both joined RDB some years ago. They danced very well, however, they have not yet embraced the acting skills that are so important in a ballet like “Don Quixote”.
Luckily, there were other fine performance from Tobias Praetorius, Morten Eggert and finally Caroline Baldwin as Mercedes partnered by Marcin Kupinski..
Putting on the Ritz
When RDB had it first performance of “Don Quixote” the designer made some beautiful costumes who served the ballet for a longer time. This year, Nikolaj Hübbe has chosen scenography and costumes by Steffen Aarfing and Annemarie Woods, who seems to have a passion for black. Some of the other costumes were rather weird. The toreadors appeared almost half dressed as if the RDB had run out of funds.
What really brings “Don Quixote” in the light is the quality of the outstanding dancers. In all RDB will bring three casts through the run. I will also write about the two remaining casts, which includes Principals Jon Axel Fransson as Basil with Wilma Giglio. In all it will bring opportunity to the RDB dancers, who like other dancers have been waiting in the wings for more opportunities. May the dancers get their day.
copyright © 2022 by Eva Kistrup
