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La fille mal gardée
‘Fille is a treasure’, says Monica Mason, Director of The Royal Ballet, and anyone who has
seen this sunniest of ballets will certainly agree. With its origins in a work first seen in
Bordeaux in 1789, La Fille mal gardée was staged by several choreographers in the 19th
century before Frederick Ashton brought it into the 20th century and created an instant
classic which has never left the repertory of The Royal Ballet. The simple story of Lise, her
suitor Colas and Lise’s larger-than-life mother, the Widow Simone, who tries to marry her
off to the simpleton son of a rich neighbour, is full of delicious comedy but also wonderful,
characterful choreography. One of the greatest pleasures of Fille is the way in which the
steps, though at times devilishly difficult, never get in the way of the natural, easy
storytelling. The virtuoso roles of Lise and Colas combine dazzling technique with tiny,
intimate details that makes their romance touching and real, while the humour of Widow
Simone with her famous ‘clog dance’ and the innocent Alain, more interested in his red
umbrella than Lise’s charms, is delightful. Funny and touching, La Fille mal gardée is the
perfect ballet for first-timers of all ages, but it is also one to which ballet-lovers will return
again and again with renewed pleasure at every performance.
Cast
- Lise Roberta Marquez
- Colas Steven McRae
Credits
- Conductor Barry Wordsworth
- Choreography Frederick Ashton
- Music Ferdinand Hérold
Details
La fille mal gardée
Featuring: Roberta Marquez as Lise & Steven McRae as Colas
Duration: 01:45 minutes (excluding intervals)
