Southern Ballet

Press, 24 April 1987, Page 8

Southern Ballet

“La Fille Mai Gardee,” presented by the Southern Ballet at the Theatre Royal, April 23 to 25. Running time: two hours 15 minutes. Reviewed by Ele Stephenson. “La Fille Mai Gardee” (the wayward daughter) is a comedy classic that was first produced in 1789 in France, and is still delighting and amusing audiences 200 years later. This colourful ballet is set in a provincial French town on the farm of Widow Simone, who has a beautiful daughter, Lisette. Lisette is in love with a handsome young farmer, Colas, but her mother has other ideas, and the ballet unfolds with subterfuge and humour.

Lisette is danced by a guest ballerina, Louise Hawke, who brings artistry, technical brilliance, and a lyrical quality to the role. Her return visit

to the company enhances the feeling and atmosphere of Southern Ballet’s sparkling production.

She and David Peake as Colas portray a tenderness that is believable but with an underlying strength and virtuosity in their pas de deux and solos.

Sharon Howells as the Widow Simone creates a splendidly entertaining characterisation. Her clog dance was one of the highlights, and her portrayal of the Widow was pure pantomime. Nicholas Mcßride, as Thomas, the wealthy farmer, gave a credible performance and provided the perfect foil for his bumbling son, Alain, whom he saw as a suitable husband for Lisette.. Kenneth Esslemont danced Alain with a fine sense of comedy and excellent timing. On every entrance he had the audi-

ence reacting to his nonsensical attempts to win Lisette. Nifty footwork and masterly use of props made this an appealing performance. Lisette’s two friends, Lisa Brereton and Kathy Ferigo, gave precise and expressive interpretations, as did the Cockerel, Hens, and Peasant Girls and Boys. It was a joy to see such a large company complementing the professionalism of the leading artists. Mary Ferigo’s imaginative and original costuming, together with Wynn Corby’s set design, contributes largely to the visual excellence of “La Fille Mai Gardee.”

This production has Russell Kerr’s stamp of understated wit and humour. His enchanting choreography makes this season of Southern Ballet a delightful and entertaining experience.