Exciting Clothes For "Prince Igor’

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31177, 29 September 1966, Page 2

Exciting Clothes For "Prince Igor’

Beautiful and exotic fabrics, complementing sinuous costumes designed by Raymond Boyce, have been chosen for “Prince

Igor,” the New Zealand Ballet’s major attraction of its spring season, which will Open in Christchurch on Wednesday, October 12. Both the designer and the producer, Russell Kerr, have riven this remarkable Fokine work an entirely new eoneept The setting is stark and lit only by the flashing of camp fires and the movement of the dancers. To convey a vivid and appealing visual impression the fabrics had to be chosen with care. Organsa, hand-beaded brocade, crystalline nylon jersey, and Indian saris have been combined to create the mysterious and seductive harem atmosphere. Prince Igor and his sori Vladimir are captives of the Khan Kontchak, leader of a twelfth-century Tartar tribe. During their captivity, Vladimir falls in love with the Polovtsian Princess, daughter of the khan. Although Kontack tempts Igor to become his ally by offering him his slave girls, Igor is resolute. Respecting his decision, the Khan entertains Igor during his guests’ exile. The New Zealand Ballet production will incorporate actors, the full company and a number of extra dancers to give “Igor” the full spectacular treatment.

Mr Kerr and Mr Boyce have worked on the production of “Prince Igor” in much the same way as they worked together on “Petrouchka.” In fact, the ballets have something in common; a continual flow of crowd movement, and in the case of “Igor” a climax that depends greatly on the atmosphere created from the first rise of the curtain. Ballet lovers will be given

a wide variety of entertainment this season with the dramatic “Prince Igor,” a dream-like “Les Patineurs,” and “Symphony for Fun,” a modern dance ballet.

Swirling skirted dresses, lined with vivid colours, are worn by the girls in Michael Charnley’s “Symphony for Fun.” The men will wear jeans and jerseys in “West Side Story” style.