Ballet Manila's Snow White in Photos with Principal Dancer Katherine Barkman and Guest Principal Joseph Phillips

 Cast 

Snow White : Katherine Barkman 

Prince: Joseph Phillips 

Evil Queen :Abigail Oliveiro and Godwin Merano 

Father Deer: Romeo Peralta 

Hunstman : Alfren Salgado 

Huntsman's Wife : Violet Hong 

Back to Back Ballets this Holiday Season

It dawned on me that every company just like a snowflake is gloriously unique even if they fall to the ground at the same time and in the same way. I would think this will hold true for the back to back ballets following Philippine Ballet Theatre's recently concluded Nutcracker. There's more than enough reason to see both Ballet Philippines' and Ballet Manila's year-enders.

Up first is Ballet Manila's world premiere of Snow White crafted by Lisa Macuja Elizalde. This is her second attempt to independently create a full ballet. Packaged as a children's ballet it promises a colorful display of mystic magic. A fairy tale with a happy ending should be fun for the young and old. The  ballet's music arranged by Von De Guzman is a medley of different musical inspirations including nursery rhymes. This is meant to captivate audiences as young as two years old. Casted as Snow White are Katherine Barkman, Hee Won Cho and Joan Sia. The three beauties are so different from each other with fine qualities to be excited about. I wonder which one will be the fairest of them all? Paired  with them are  Joseph Phillips, Romeo Peralta and Elpidio Magat whose princely nature will likely awaken not just Snow White but the audience as well. Snow White's premiere is on November 25, 2017 and closes on December 3, 2017 at the Aliw Theatre.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BALLET MANILA 

Coinciding with Ballet Manila's second weekend is the Filipinized version of Nutcracker offered by Ballet Philippines. BP has had a very long history with Nutcracker and both Alice Reyes and Edna Vida have presented their own versions in 1982 and 1987 respectively. The show will  feature the collaboration of National Artist Alice Reyes and Edna Vida which should be interesting. Using the original design of the late National Artist Salvador Bernal, Ballet Philippines will transport us to Christmas in the 1920's setting. The Company has invited Nobuo Fujino (formerly a Senior Artist at the Australian Ballet and Principal with Hong Kong Ballet) to dance the role of the Nutcracker Prince. He will be partnering Denise Parungao who plays the role of Sugarplum Fairy. Alternating with Parungao is resident guest artist Candice Adea and company member Jemima Reyes. They will be partnered by Lester Reguindin and Victor Maguad respectively.

PHOTO BY JOJO MAMANGUN COURTESY OF BALLET PHILIPPINES

   

Nobuo Fujino
PHOTO COURTESY OF BALLET PHILIPPINES

I fully expect the next couple of weeks to be filled with holiday cheer with fairy tales and happy endings coming our way. Encouraging everyone to join me in indulging in something joyful for a change. Take that trip to the theatre! See you there!

Ballet Manila's Swan Lake, A Tribute to Tradition

Ballet Manila's opening gala of Swan Lake reminded me of a  popular quote that goes  "Dancers are athletes of God". The reference was not  because of the blood and sweat that sacrificial dancers go through when mounting a full length but  because I saw  a cloud of competition gently hovering over the Aliw Theater. Perhaps not everyone understands the magnitude of the challenge Ballet Manila chose to take. Swan Lake in itself  is a test of discipline, unity, technique and artistry. It is without a doubt a measure that clearly reflects  the competence of a ballet company.   In this case it goes beyond that. Ballet Manila's Swan Lake is the third version to be presented  in a span of 12 months. Whether the companies intentionally ignited the healthy competition or not, it is there for the taking. Philippine Ballet Theatre  showcased the meatier excerpts of the ballet while Ballet Philippines did the full length earlier this year. It is almost serendipitous  that Ballet Manila ends the battle of the swans.  With two distinctly different approaches to the classic, there is a lingering  expectation for Ballet Manila to deliver something palpable. Save the best for last?!  

Ballet Manila's version is largely based on the 1895 staging of Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov. Except for some minor updates  in the divertissement section of the ballet,  the company boasts of sticking to the original choreography. Fiercely loyal to the Vaganova brand, it seems they are intent on proving that there is value in holding on to tradition. Don't fix what ain't broken, instead  make it shine so everyone can recognize it's value. They simply retold the story of the prince who found the cursed Swan Queen Odette in the forest. In mime and movement they allowed the story of deception and redemption of an interrupted love. 

The Cast

BM Principal dancer Katherine Barkman came out of the mist and debuted as Odette/Odile in Ballet Manila's opening gala. With an arresting sense of calm and an air of assurance she took  her very first arabesque and lingered beautifully. Her next rushes of movement would have the same quiet quality that showed a level of maturity . As Odette she chose to portray an ethereal princess with a weightlessness that was appropriate for the lyrical requirements of the part. But it was as Odile that she won my vote. Her wicked temperament was memorable and so was her imperious  fouettes. She denied me  of guessing what turn would go next because she confidently shifted from single-single-doubles to continuous doubles. She commanded her legs as she wished  and they mechanically obeyed. She was born a bravura but passed the test of performing both roles adequately.

Katherine Barkman as 

Partnering Barkman is the newly recruited Guest Principal dancer Joseph Phillips. He was last seen playing the same part in the Ballet Philippines' version. He reprises this role with a different set of steps to adhere to. He whipped four or five pirouettes  and did his trademark jumps with the strength of a young man. This time around, I felt his artistry fell short. There were rare but noticeable moments of muted despair and urgency.  I will have to commend him however for flawlessly partnering Barkman. Their partnership has a hefty amount of potential. Longevity seems  achievable. 

Joseph Phillips as Prince Sigfried 

                        

Alfren Salgado as the villain was effective. He was an imposing character who grounded his every moment on stage with a devilish flair. His leaps were equally flamboyant. 

Among the Company's strongest was Heewon Cho who was refreshing to watch. She performed the pas de trois in the first act and cygnets in the second act. She displayed her ability to sway the audience with her sparkling smile and generous port de bras (movement of the arms) and  high extensions. Her turns were beautifully placed  and musical. This ballerina  was light and lovely. 

Heewon Cho in Pas De Trois

Swan Lake would be powerless without an efficient corp de ballet. I would have to say among the three companies they glaringly won the best ensemble award. In strength and in number this corp de ballet was unparalleled. (Their previous staging of Act II was even better) Pictures don't lie. Impeccable lines and photo-friendly arms, legs and level of eyesight. Definitely this fleet of swans deserve applause. Well played indeed. 








Denied Preferences
Act 1 was vibrant and lively with an army of beautiful dancers as ensemble and an good trio to enjoy. Act 2  was dramatic and lyrical. Act 3 for me was a bit of a downer  because my preferences were not satisfied.  While the dancers performed well, I again missed the more dynamic updated versions of character dances being performed by featured soloists instead of the ensemble. It was quickly redeemed by the dramatics that the Black Swan Pas de deux provided. The culminating act closed the show with  a strong vision of the Prince and Odette in flight. It was a Nutcracker-ish moment that sealed the story with hope and happiness. A dazzling ending to a very serious ballet journey. 

Spectrum of Light and Color 
Much has been said about the dancing but it is imperative to make mention the details that helped emphasize it.  Jimmy Villanueva's light design is impeccable. Just as extraordinary as the Princess transforming into a swan, the lights had its own magic.  Much like the movement of the Swan, the lights were graceful and its every move purposeful. I find it amazing that he is able to go dramatically dark while keeping the dancers' faces luminous. The illusions he creates are powerful. 



Worthy 
The iconic story that has captivated hearts of many was given justice. Looking at the production in its entirety, it is a lovely tribute to Tchaikovsky's music and Petipa and Ivanov's choreography. Swan Lake is always a good idea, but I would have to say that Ballet Manila is a good place to start if you want a satiating taste  of  a white ballet. Ballet Manila was right. Keeping traditions can be delightful. Third time is a charm. 

Lisa Macuja as Queen 

Gerardo Francisco as Jester 

Jessa Ballote in Pas De Trois

Elpidio Magat in Pas De Trois

International Guest Stars Candice Adea and Joseph Phillips

Ballet Philippines' "Swan Lake" was highly  anticipated because of the guest performances of two international stars. Pinoy pride Candice Adea (formerly artist of Ballet Philippines, Ballet Met and Hongkong Ballet) and golden boy of ballet Joseph Phillips took on the challenge of the classic "Swan Lake". I was fortunate enough to be able to catch them during their last technical dress rehearsal. Their partnership was a good display of good clean technique. Both very meticulous about their movement there was a maturity that I appreciated. Here are snapshots of their grace and power. 

 

 In Flight. Victor Maguad brought so much joy to the stage as Benno 

Triad of joyfulness, Monica Gana , Victor Maguad and Katrene San Miguel in Pas De Trois

Candice Adea as Odette and Joseph Phillips as Prince Sigfried

A moment of silence for  a beautifully sustained balance.
Candice Adea as Odette and Joseph Philipps as Prince Sigfried 

                     

Ballet Philippines 

Swan Lake TDR February 23, 2017