Lyric Theatre, The Lowry, Manchester- 3rd May 2017. Reviewed by Julie Noller
Casanova what a spectacular jaw dropping performance…. Yes I did actually have to close my mouth at the wonder and pure energy I was watching.
Casanova is nearing its tour end there’s only London Sadler’s Wells to come. Perhaps the night would end with a jaded performance with tired dancers? Fear not for it was far from tiring (apart from my proclamations of I could never do that – but isn’t that the joy of watching masters at work?) I was witnessing not just months of practice but years – you want to take your six year old daughter contemplating ballet to watch what they could achieve, alas my daughter is 14 and even she would be embarrassed at this extremely sensual and moving performance. I could almost sense that the dancers could close their eyes and still the performance would be perfect.
The thing is there are far too many names to single out for praise, Christopher Oram for those costumes and set designs, coming together with Alastair Wests lighting design. We had the drab black costumes of the so called ordinary folk to the papal purple and white reflecting life in clergy, to the more elaborate scarlet reds and gold working cleverly with the cadbury lighting of golds and purples which highlighted each dancer perfectly. I was somewhat dazzled by the mirrors reflecting the light back into the theatre but the effect worked showing the oppulence in Casanovas life and once my eyes had adjusted being thrust from relative darkness, it also succeeded in highlighting another aspect of each dancer, wow those muscles and somehow just a little bit cheeky. The set mostly shades of gold as you would expect of the era but the few pieces used expressed the extravagance that showed the essence of money and power in 18th Century Venice and Paris.
If I had one recommendation to anyone attending future performances it would be to spend a couple of minutes reading The Story on pages 4 and 5 of the programme, if you are familiar with Casanova or not it will help you to understand the characters if you like to have a thorough knowledge. I know the basic story of Casanova the Lothario, I watched Act I without reading the story instead I busied myself reading about the dancers, amazed at the diversity of talent. I will say if you enjoy losing yourself in pure talent and emotion you have no need to read The Story, I did allow myself the chance to read The Story before Act II and found I had greater understanding of not only what was happening and why but what was to come.
So Casanova, you would be expecting raunchy? Wrong what you got was something warm and glowing yet incredibly sensual and energetic. Giuliano Contadini was masterful and believable as Casanova from leaping about the stage on to table tops to those jumps (more jaw dropping moments than I can recall) together with the choreography of Kenneth Tindall in his first full length ballet with Northern Ballet. You could see this lothario at work, was no one ever safe from the charms of Casanova? When you watch a film maybe it’s the British way to get embarrassed by scenes showing any sort of sexual contact, I know I’ve said already it was extremely sensual but it simply was. Casanova was portrayed as not only a lover but so in touch with the emotions of others. My perception was that of a man hiding behind his own mask, understanding others so well, he would give to them the Casanova they craved and needed, whilst devouring all kinds of knowledge. My favourite dance without a doubt was where Bellino (the wonderful Dreda Blow) shares her secret that she is indeed a woman with Casanova it is simply stunning, vibrant and yet again so sensual.
More names need praise and they include Kerry Muzzey (music) for his first full length ballet and first live theatrical work…. Really? I found myself lost in the music more than once and it perfectly accompanied those sensual and highly emotive scenes, the sort of music you could soak away your troubles in the bath with. John Pryce Jones Sinfonia Conductor and Geoffrey Allan Sinfonia Leader unfortunately I cannot applaud through my computer screen.
Once again I have watched a ballet and have been left in total awe at the power and grace not to mention the skills, simply amazing.