Don Quixote

Don Quixote
Queensland Ballet. Playhouse, QPAC Brisbane. May 19 – June 2, 2012

François Klaus’s version of the classic Cervantes novel celebrates another milestone in the final year of his eight-year tenure with Queensland Ballet.

The lavish production captures everything most ballet goers seek: spectacular scenery, gorgeous costumes, and brilliant dancers weaving magic to transport us to illusiondom where we escape our everyday routine.

Klaus uses the artistic conceit of a film being made of the Don Quixote ballet. The lead actor begins to assume the character of the hero he portrays. Action embraces the present and the Renaissance, capturing the essence of the book as well as high points of the Minkus version of the ballet.

Blair Wood’s transformation into Cervantes’ hero is superlative theatre. He deserves to be remembered for it. Keian Langdon or Gareth Belling as Sancho Panza ably support him (I saw Keian in the part). Sancho’s gentle indulgence, care and protection of his master won me over.

Stars of the movie segments, Meng Ningning (Kitri) and Piran Scott (Basilio) thrilled the audience in their wedding-scene cameos. Watch these two as they develop under the new artistic director. As Dulcinea, Lisa Edwards (in the movie) and Clare Morehen (in the Quest sequence) were impressive.

I applaud Klaus’s vision to meld past and present in his concept. I especially enjoyed the Piazzola tango segment that showcased many dancers in a different style.         

The finale (to a Dvořák cello concerto) was very moving as the Don actor finds he cannot live in our modern world without his dreams.

Bravo!

Jay McKee

Images: Blair Wood and Rachael Walsh, & Blair Wood and Keian Langdon. Photographer: Ken Sparrow

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