The Seven Deadly Sins / Carmen / DGV: Danse à grande vitesse

Vivacity and variety mark this chance to see two recent works in their first revivals in a Royal Ballet programme with a contemporary slant. Martha Wainwright returns to sing in the first revival of Will Tuckett’s interpretation of Kurt Weill’s Seven Deadly Sins, new in 2007. Two demanding star roles, one each for a dancer and a singer, portray Anna’s journey through the visceral temptations of American cities, with the dramatic tensions in Tuckett’s interpretation set to music by Weill from the symphonic to 1930s popular.

In contrast, Mats Ek’s witty and subversive Carmen draws on the story of the carefree gypsy who brings turmoil to the life of her lover Don José. Suggestions of the story are set to Rodion Shchedrin’s inventive distillation of Bizet’s tune-packed opera score, while the roles of Carmen, José and the mysterious ‘M’ give fine opportunities for strong character performances from Royal Ballet soloists.

The programme finishes with the first revival of Christopher Wheeldon’s pulsing, energetic DGV: Danse à grande vitesse, an immediate hit at its premiere in 2006. Michael Nyman’s music was written to celebrate the French high-speed train the TGV, and here the large number of dancers involved make the ballet a thrilling conclusion to the programme through sheer energy and the thrill of vibrant dance.

Running time: 3 hours | 2 Intervals

CREDITS
Music:
Kurt Weill
George Bizet arranged by Rodion Shchedrin
Michael Nyman

Choreography:
Will Tuckett
Mats Ek
Christopher Wheeldon

PERFORMERS
Conductor:
Daniel Capps
Martin Yates

Seven Deadly Sins:
Martha Wainwright
Zenaida Yanowsky

Carmen:
tbc

DGV: Danse à Grande Vitesse:
Lauren Cuthbertson
Steven McRae
Laura Morera
Rupert Pennefather
tbc
Leanne Benjamin
Sarah Lamb
Zenaida Yanowsky
Marianela Nuñez
Edward Watson
Gary Avis
Eric Underwood
Federico Bonelli