There are a number of great classic ballets that almost everyone has heard about: Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake…
Giselle is on that list as well. It’s a typical fairytale story: a young peasant girl falls in love with a nobleman pretending to be a peasant and dies of fright when his true identity is revealed. The second act is all about anger and revenge, and ultimately forgiveness.
20 years ago in England, Michael Pink reimagined Giselle taking place in war-torn Europe in the 1940s. Jayne Regan, now Jayne Pink, danced the role of Giselle in that production when it first premiered in England. Fast forward to today and the Milwaukee Ballet, and this updated Giselle returns to the Marcus Center this weekend. Jayne has been coaching the dancers throughout the rehearsal process, imparting her knowledge of and experience with the role.
Lake Effect's Bonnie North spoke with Michael and Jayne during a rehearsal break at the Milwaukee Ballet studios to discuss the updated version of Giselle.
"Anybody coming to this production will be satisfied on so many different levels and will walk away realizing the silent art of dance is incredibly loud and incredibly powerful," says artistic director Michael Pink.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9JAH8eL67rM
