The Seagull by John Neumeier at The National Ballet of Canada

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The Seagull by John Neumeier at The National Ballet of Canada (photo credits:Cylla von Tiedemann)

Do you know the play of Anton Chekhov "The Seagull"? Well, for this particular time it does not matter. You will never have a chance to understand who is who, even after looking at supplied "scheme of relationships of characters". I've got an impression that the best of all thing is just let the show go. Forget about non-pop classical music, forget about rhythm and melody. The violins will be squeaking and grubbing in the last impuls which will last for an hour.

I have always asked the question why Canadian opera and ballet companies can't pick something light melodic and pop - Tchaykovsky and Vivaldi could really help to develop taste in audience. Start from light music, grow the public, and get sold out tickets to the performances.

You know the same truth as I do - people who say they enjoy that kind of serious classical experimental crap music are full of lie. I prefer to listen such music alone, enjoying my privacy in dark room and my biennale of depression. But when I want to go out for a performance, I want to have entertainment in my life. Yes, I prefer ABBA.

With the modern ballet I have noticed that the dance is really independent from the sound. I promise, next time I'll come with my iPod and experiment with my oun soundtrack vs sad experimental classical. I like Shostakovich, Evelyn Glennie and Scriabin, but not for the night out.

My overall experience? First part was long long long damn long. When I began completely bored I realized it is only 40 minutes (out of 60). I've been greatly enjoyed the group dancing, costumes and minimalistic decorations. But the rest was ssssssooooo long and toooooo grey for me.

I've been laughing during second part, the part when they grotesquely show "ballet a la russ" - russian style ballet and cabaret, with (OMFG! Finally!) melodically perfectly sounded music. It was completely different experience from the first part, but the end was exactly the same - boring and grey.

Resume. Overall I enjoyed the play, but partially because I paid for my tickets extremely low price ($24). So I would've hate it if I paid, lets say $100 or $150. Personally, I think for the price of $150 per person a couple of people can find something else to do. But I do really hope it will change one day.

My solution is simple:

COC & TNBC - please RETIRE THE boring superclassical music and high prices!


The Video and more pictures:
http://national.ballet.ca/performances/season1112/The_Seagull/#Video-tab