Berkshires arts reviews

July 12, 2007 performance reviewed by Connell McGrath

After a 21 year hiatus, members of the Royal Danish Ballet returned to Jacob’s Pillow this week. They first performed at Jacob’s Pillow in the 1955 festival, and that debut performance (their first in this country) was the beginning of an American infatuation with the company and with their simple, traditional and vibrant style of ballet.

Thomas Lund of the Royal Danish Ballet in Napoli, choreographed by August Bournonville. Photo by Henrik Stenberg.

Not much has changed in 50 years. While last night’s audience did not leap to their feet, the house was packed and the Royal Danish performers got an enthusiastic reception. And for good reason.

Twelve younger members of the company performed excerpts from the Ballet’s repertory. These works dated from 1836 to 1942, most of them from the 1800s, and most of them choreographed by the Ballet’s original artistic director, August Bournonville. Despite the vintage, these dances are still fresh and exciting to watch. They also performed two contemporary works.

The Bournonville dances were excerpted from “The Flower Festival of Genzano”, “From Siberia to Moscow”, “La Sylphide” and the Tarantella from “Napoli.” These were outstanding examples of his work and of the Royal Danish style that emphasizes simplicity, elegance and natural movement. The Tarantella that closed the show was particularly exciting to watch despite a muddled early section of the dance. The divertissement from “La Sylphide” was also outstanding.

They also showed a pas de deux from Festival Polonaise choreographed in 1942 by Harold Lander, the artistic director of the company for most of the first part of the 20th century. He followed Bournonville’s established traditions with excellence and discipline.

The classical performances were consistent and outstanding. The two contemporary pieces were uneven. Triplex (1999), choreographed by Tim Rushton, a former member of the Ballet, was pretty good, but there was an unfortunate world premiere. My Knees Are Cold (2007) choreographed by a current dancer in the company, was embarrassing to watch. This brief lapse only slightly marred the excellence of the performance.

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