English National Ballet: Raymonda at The Palace Theatre
Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor
Artistic Director of the English National Ballet, Tamara Rojo brings a new version of Raymonda, a rarely performed ballet to The Palace Theatre.
Taking inspiration from the revolutionary spirit of Florence Nightingale and the women who supported the war effort in Crimea, the English National Ballet present a new version of the classic story ballet, Raymonda.
A stunning ballet about love and courage in a time of war.
The story is set in England in 1854 where Raymonda has left her comfortable life to become a nurse in the Crimean War. There, she meets and becomes engaged to a soldier, John, but soon develops feelings for his friend Abdur, a leader of the Ottoman army. As the war unfolds around her and turmoil builds inside her, Raymonda has to decide who she will give her heart to.
Keeping elements of the original 19th-century ballet – the sensuous and glorious score by Alexander Glazunov and Marius Petipa’s classical choreography – Rojo has updated the story by introducing a heroine in full control of her own future.
Rojo has updated the story by introducing a heroine in full control of her own future.
Building on Rojo’s outstanding contribution as a dancer and artistic director, this new version of Raymonda marks her first move into choreography and directing.
Rarely performed in the UK and never performed in its entirety, do not miss the opportunity to catch this stunning ballet about love and courage in a time of war.
