Dance

First of two programmes from the world-famous Bolshoi Ballet brings blazing energy and a cornucopia of male and female virtuoso dancing in the tumultuous, emotion-filled spectacle, The Flames of Paris.

With the French Revolution as background, this tale of action and romance was originally commissioned to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Russia’s own October Revolution, and intended to inspire the proletariat. It was Stalin’s favourite ballet. Rediscovered and revised by their former Artistic Director Alexei Ratmansky in 2008, this Soviet-era blockbuster has swiftly enthralled a new generation.

Bolshoi means ‘big’, and with its mass dances, flamboyant set pieces and cascades of dazzling steps, The Flames of Paris is big in every way. But there is delicacy, love and humour too. Boris Asafiev’s delightful score expertly drives a drama which combines elements of baroque and both 18th and 20th century realities and myths. When it comes to spectacle said Financial Times, ‘the Bolshoi knows how. Bravissimo!’