Ballet Philippines here again for unique performances
JAKARTA (JP): Ballet Philippines, one of its country's premier dance companies, is scheduled to feature an exciting repertoire of 12 pieces during its three-day visit to Gedung Kesenian in Jakarta beginning Friday.
Philippine embassy cultural officer Gloria L. Tablico said the group's performances would not be just traditional world-class displays; they would also reflect a uniquely Philippine character and spirit.
"World-renowned for the originality, energy, elegance and versatility of its dancing, Ballet Philippines is also noted for its rich integration of the old and new, of various music forms and of traditional Filipino and Western movement styles," Tablico told a press conference here Saturday.
Ballet Philippines, the resident company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, previously performed in Jakarta in 1974, 1981 and 1988.
Founded in 1970, the group has presented almost 1,000 full- house performances in more than 50 cities worldwide, said Tablico.
Noted for its unique blend of classical, contemporary, avant- garde and modern dance, Ballet Philippines is often dubbed "uninhibited", "outstanding" and "overwhelming" by international critics.
The company has performed more than 200 different items. Although wide in scope, the majority of the programs integrate Western techniques, themes and designs but remain distinctly Filipino.
During its performances in Jakarta, the 20 members of Ballet Philippines will go all-out to attract audiences to pack the 445 seats at Gedung Kesenian, near Pasar Baru in Central Jakarta.
With ticket prices of Rp 50,000 (US$20.40) for the floor seats and Rp 40,000 for the balcony seats, the company -- which will be paid US$15,000 by the Gedung Kesenian management -- will feature lithe maidens, lonely men, multi-faceted women, frenzied priestesses and innocent children in its 12 works.
They are titled Igorot, Bach Concerto, Moriones, Je,Tu,Elle, Swimming The Pasig, Taong Talangka, Babalyan, Pagdiriwang, Opus 25, Tatlong Babae, Paglalakbay, and Te Deum.
Programs
The first eight items will be presented in what they call the first program on the first and second days. The remaining five works will be featured during the second program on the last day.
"If the audience feels satisfied after watching the first program, they should come and see the second program," said Tablico, who was accompanied by Gedung Kesenian manageress Farida Feisol.
Seven of the 12 items to be performed here are choreographed by Agnes Locsin, the group's resident choreographer.
An international award-winner renowned for her uniquely Philippine neo-ethnic choreography, Locsin has a reputation of molding her dances into technical powerhouses.
Audiences can find some of that in Paglalakbay, a neo-ethnic opening item which charts a man's journey across land and sea in search for a place to call home.
The opening piece, Igorot, a marriage of ethnic and classical ballet, is inspired by the ritual dances of the Igorot tribe from the Philippines' mountain province of the same name.
In Taong Talangka, Locsin wants to reveal the animistic nature of the diverse folk and ethnic dances in the Philippines. The short international-award winning contemporary piece draws inspiration from this tradition as it simulates the movements of crabs.
According to Tablico, the first eight-piece program lasts one hour and 45 minutes and the second around one and a half hours.
After their show in Jakarta, Ballet Philippines will fly to Singapore for two performances on June 12 and June 13. All the tickets for the shows in the island republic have already sold out.
Tickets for their performances in Jakarta are available at Gedung Kesenian (Ph. 021 344 1892 or 021 380 8283). (bsr)