A trip to the ballet may entice images of a cultural, affluent audience that know the exact rituals of a performance and you the fresh newcomer clapping at the exact wrong moment and wanting the ground to swallow you up.
Anyone that doesn’t think the ballet is for them is missing out on a treat. So I will endeavor to tell in everyone’s language the talent of the English National Ballet’s ensemble of Le Corsaire.
Liverpool was enchanted by array of dances that seemed to never stop; dance after dance was breath taking, with each individual dancer captivating us when it was their turn to shine.
Le Corsaire (The Pirate) was beautifully danced but was also beautifully acted. The story is loosely based on the poem The Corsair by Lord Byron. It follows the adventures of a heroic pirate, Conrad, who journeys across the seas to save his love, Medora, who is in the hands of a slave trader Lankendem.
The maiden is captured, released, recaptured and released again. In this story of love and betrayal will justice ever be served?
In the final scene, Conrad and Medora have escaped but they are caught in a vicious storm. In the final moments you see them emerge from the ship wreck and your heart can rest as they are finally together in their pursuit of love. English National Ballet’s Lead Principle dancer, Erina Takahashi played the leading role of Medora, dancing the highlight of the performance with 32 fouettes, a flawless, breathtaking moment.
Osiel Gouneo was Conrad in the leading male role, a debut for him at the Empire last night, only recently joining the company as Principle Guest Artist for the season. His stature as the hero and tenderness with his lover was presented in every dance. His preciseness in every move was the stand out performance of the night.
Le Corsaire was first staged in 1856 but this is the first time a UK company has performed the work. The ballet has been modernised by chorographer Anna-Marie Holmes and reinvented by Hollywood set designer Bob Ringwood (Batman). The costumes were the colourful masterpieces that set the tone of the whole escapade.
Liverpool was given the best of the best on its doorstep including a musical performance by the English National Ballet Philharmonic who barely stopped to take breath, as dance after dance enthralled.
Praise must be given to the way Le Corsaire portrays the talents of every artist in the company. It ticks the box for every first time ballet adventurer’s enjoyment. You will experience many of the artist’s raw talent instead of a leading few.
For music and dance to tell the story without any words is the most striking note of the ballet. The peacefulness of the affair awakens the other senses of a 21st century person that have been forgotten.