Review | Lewis Carroll’s Alice comes alive in Hong Kong Ballet production, its first choreographed by artistic director Septime Webre
Septime Webre pulls out all the stops in this entertaining production packed with spectacular effects and full of energy
The premiere of Hong Kong Ballet’s new full-length Alice (In Wonderland) gave audiences their first sight of artistic director Septime Webre’s choreography. In this production, originally created for Washington Ballet, Webre pulls out all the stops; packed with spectacular theatrical effects, fast and furious dancing and blazing energy, it’s great entertainment for children, parents and ballet lovers alike.
Webre’s adaptation is largely faithful to Lewis Carroll’s classic story – which may puzzle those who haven’t re-read the book recently.
The choreography is consistently well crafted and has some magically inventive moments: the sinuous Caterpillar held aloft and manipulated by a group of partners; the sublimely feline Cheshire Cat; and Alice doing graceful balletic backstroke in the Pool of Tears.
The company’s classical technique is showcased in a delicious homage to the 19th century grand pas de deux in general, and Swan Lake in particular, led by the Dodo Bird and the Eaglet, plus a corps de ballet of flamingos – this is Flamingo Lake.
