Ballet Manila (BM) closes its Prima Season with Marius Petipa’s “La Bayadere,” a three-act ballet set in Royal India about a temple dancer (bayadere) who is embroiled in a deadly love triangle.
”La Bayadere’ is the epitome of classical ballet as it holds a special place in Ballet Manila. We last performed it 13 years ago, with me playing the lead character, Nikiya. This is a great classical piece and audiences would find what they seek in a ballet production,” said Ballet Manila’s CEO and artistic director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde.
‘This was also the last ballet I watched before leaving Russia. This is very sentimental to me. It makes me feel nostalgic seeing dancers from where i started,’ she added.
The Philippines’ prima ballerina describes “La Bayadere” as a production that has the most demanding roles in the entire ballet repertoire. It is the last ballet that she performed in the “Swan Song” series that included “Swan Lake,” “Carmen,” and “Romeo and Juliet.”
Meet the cast
Mariinsky Ballet’s principal dancers Renata Shakirova (playing Nikiya) and Kimin Kim (playing Solor) lead the principal cast.
‘La Bayadere is not an easy ballet as it requires technique. I’ve danced as Solor since I was 17 in Korea, and it is one of my favorite ballets. When the overture begins, I start crying. The music of Ludwig Minkus says everything. But you’ll see a different performance on opening night,’ said Kim, who confessed he went straight to the technical dress rehearsal from arriving on a 3 a.m. flight to Manila.
The Korean ballet dancer was on vacation when he got a call from Ballet Manila to play Solor. He admitted that though he is on vacation, he does not take a rest for more than two weeks. He conscientiously takes a class every day leading to the days to his return to ballet.
Kim gave his praises to the Manila company. He also talked about working with Renata.
‘Without love, we can’t dance! There’s positive energy with Ballet Manila that I like. I’ve danced with Renata for 15 years now since she did her premiere in Mariinsky. Dancing with her is easy. I just focus on her eyes and everything else follows. Love triangles are hurting. I know coz I’ve experienced it when I was younger,’ said the Korean principal dancer.
After Manila, Kimin will fly home to Korea where he will perform and direct a “Don Quixote” production in the university where he graduated from.
Renata, like Kim, was also on vacation when she was offered the lead role. The Russian dancer has been exposed to the world of ballet since she was a little girl. Like her Korean counterpart, she did not relax and still did gymnastic and Pilates to keep herself in shape.
As she takes the Manila stage, Renata is looking forward to playing her role.
‘You feel several emotions in just one moment in this production. Every year, Ballent Manila’s love for dancing just blossoms. ‘La Bayadere’ is a drama of two women fighting over a guy. Dancing with Kimin makes us move like one body!’ said the Russian prima ballerina.
After a short professional gig, Renata and Kimin will fly back to the Philippines for a scheduled trip to Boracay.
“La Bayadere” opens on August 14, 8 p.m. at the Aliw Theatre in Pasay City. Two more afternoon shows follow the evening gala on August 15 and 16.