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Wilde about Oscar

In the ten years of its existence, Ballet Ireland has been at the forefront of modern ballet in Ireland. From its first full length production, “Swan Lake,” which garnered rave critical reviews, to the enormous success of their two gala seasons, Diaghilev and the Red Shoes (2005) and the Tchaikovsky Celebration Gala (2006), the company has led the way in bringing this most classical of dance styles around the country.

They practically launched Draiocht with “Swan Lake” and have been regular visitors here down through the years, most recently with last year’s productions of “Die Fledermaus” and “The Nutcracker.” They invariably sell out their shows here and tickets are already selling very briskly for their third gala production, “Ballet Extravaganza 2008.”

This groundbreaking programme sees the commission of brand new ballets based on works written by the renowned Irish dramatist and poet, Oscar Wilde.

First amongst these is the biblical “Salomé,” originally refused licence for performance in England; it took some thirty years after Wilde’s death before it was performed there. “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” the extraordinary account of the narcissist, who retains his innocent, youthful beauty, receives a balletic retelling, as we see, over the years, his portrait assume the expressions and shadows of each of his vices.

Wilde’s great fable, “The Birthday of the Infanta,” contrasts the spontaneity, wonder and inner beauty of the hideous dwarf with the harsh formalities and cynicism of the Infanta and the Spanish Court, which eventually break his heart. And finally “Sing, Sing, Sing,” which was inspired by the swing and big band music of the 1930s and in particular by the work of legendary jazz choreographer, Bob Fosse.

With choreography by artistic director Günther Falusy, associate choreographer Morgan Runacre-Temple and guest choreographer Michael Corder, this programme firmly establishes the company as the most original and versatile of the three professional ballet troupes in Ireland, though Viennese director Günther Falusy was somewhat morose when I contacted him recently.

“Despite all our good work, we are still clinging precariously to existence,” he told me. Last Christmas he had confided to me that he didn’t think Ballet Ireland would make it into the New Year, due to inadequate funding from the Arts Council. Well, they have a spring season but he is pessimistic about their traditional autumn season. “I really don’t see how we can continue,” he said. “Anna” – co-founder Anna Maher – “is more optimistic than me but the reality is that we have a €100,000 shortfall and we will have to cut back so much that I wonder if it is worthwhile struggling on.

“Last year we put 27,000 bums on seats but that seems to count for nothing in the eyes of the Arts Council. It would appear that they prefer to pump thousands into modern dance to see it play before three men and a dog.”

Despite the hardships, Dublin 15 ballet enthusiasts will doubtless turn out in their droves to see these new works.

“Ballet Extravaganza 2008” by Ballet Ireland plays Draiocht’s main auditorium on Saturday 26th April at 8pm.

Tickets are €18 / €16.

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