The Prince of the Pagodas - Ballet

This day dawned cold, sunny and dry.  Today was the funeral of R's Mother, I cannot tell you of the pain that has led to this day, suffice to say that Chris had suffered so much, fought so well and still managed to be the strength of her home.  The well of her love for all around her never ran dry and the turnout for her funeral service reflected that.

The tickets for the show were bought last year, we had been looking forward to it for a long time and R was adamant that his mother would have wanted us to go.
While PJ went to Birmingham University for an evening of stargazing, C and I went into town for a meal and the show ...  this show .....

This is a 'proper' Ballet show  and we have only ever been to see the 'Nutcracker' which I consider to be a children's show.  We were about to find out if we liked Ballet proper.


The show opened with the Fool coming to sit at the front of the stage, there was much miming and laughter then it was curtain up and we were at the court of the Emperor.  The courtiers performed the opening number then the Empress came down and danced with the Emperor .

The Kings of the North, South, East and West were introduced and danced their solos. 

Then came the Salmander who attracted the Princess so she left with him and flew away to his land.  Then the ballerinas in their toutous came on.


The rest of the story was related in the dance, the costumes were marvellous .... and the ingenious flash of lightening - a metal streak which came down over the curtain and then had a spotlight flashed onto it so that it really did look like a flash of lightening.

Brilliant!!
It was an absolutely beautiful performance, we were enthralled.  I cannot wait to see our next show - La Fille mal gardee - in June.

The Story: -

Perched on the edge of the stage, at the opening, the Fool introduces the orchestra and guides us through the royal court where we meet the wicked Queen.

The young Princess Sakura is in mourning for the death of her brother and the disintegration of her once powerful father, the Emperor of the Chrysanthemum Throne, who allows his evil new wife to take control of his kingdom.

Spurning several suitors, Sakura accepts a scaly Salamander Prince and they embark on a fairy-tale journey to his magic kingdom. They travel through earth, air, fire and water complete with charming sea-horses and even an octopus! In true fairy-tale style it’s only when she arrives, that she learns of his true identity and the spell he endures. In the battle of good versus evil there are beautiful pas de deux and to the delight of the children in the audience a martial arts showdown.

The final section is an elongated, pantomimic curtain call with enthusiastic applause for Momoka Hirata as Princess Sakura and Joseph Caley as the Salamander Prince while Elisha Willis makes such a good baddie as the Empress, she’s actually booed !