Double dose of ballet

"The high level of smoke particles in the air makes it impossible for young dancers to rehearse and the pollution puts people off coming to the city to watch our performance,” says ML Preeyapun Sridhavat, artistic director of Chiang Mai Ballet, explaining why the 13th annual performance has been moved from March to May.

“But March is better for our dancers’ schedule. Dance qualifying exams are coming up in May and June and so our dancers need to manage their time better. Dance contests are from May to July so some of our dancers will now use their pieces in the show in those contests,” she continues.

With major support from Thai Airways International, the annual performance will commence with the wedding scene from classical ballet “Paquita”, and ML Preeyapun notes that this is especially in celebration of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s 60th birthday anniversary.

“Marius Petipa, thanks to his time in Spain, has created a uniquely vibrant choreography for the grand pas in this scene, featuring many solo parts, and all in the celebratory mode, so it perfectly fits such an auspicious occasion. The two leads are dance professor Peera Phanlukthao and a former Chiang Mai resident, the Japanese ballerina Megumi Nishimori, both of whom our audiences are familiar with.”

The main programme is “Snow White”, which ML Preeyapun has picked as an antidote to social media.

“Young people nowadays tend to believe everything they see or watch on the social networks. This is like the poisoned apple in ‘Snow White’. Although the production design concept might not show this contemporary relevance, the house programme and our MC will make sure that the youngsters in the audience get this important message.”

Dancers in the lead roles of Snow White and the Evil Queen, alternating at the noon and afternoon performances, are Khemruthai Chaiwipassatorn, Hannah Staton, Sasipim Wattanachet and Pawinee Suemanotham.

“And because both our two Snow Whites are taller than 170 centimetres, we’ve invited Bangkok-based dancer Phorphol Phasee whose performance caught my eyes in Somtow Sucharitkul’s ballet-opera ‘Suriyothai’ to perform the prince. His wife Rabkwan is also a choreographer and has been a great help in assuring the sweetness and smooth flow of the title character’s movements.”

“The overall tone is fun and exciting and the 90-minute show is filled with many short scenes.”

As always in Chiang Mai Ballet’s annual presentation, jazz, modern, contemporary, Latin dance, hip-hop and flamenco can be enjoyed in the same show. 

“We’re experimenting with a special duel of Latin dance and flamenco in the scene when the Evil Queen conjures up the poison apple,” she says. 

“Latin dancers portray bats, and flamenco scorpions – both evil characters of course.” 

Audience members are encouraged to show up in purple in honour of the Princess and the best dressed will go home with prizes from hotel and restaurant sponsors. Proceeds will be donated to the Thai Red Cross Society.

 

HI-HO, HI-HO

The Chiang Mai Ballet performs at noon and 3.30pm on May 17 at Kad Theatre.

Tickets are Bt300 to Bt1,000, available at the Kad Suan Kaew shopping complex information desk. Call (081) 951 0665.