The sensational new dance musical "BALLET RUSSES" by American writer David Reiser combines classical dance with music and drama to tell a story set within the legendary Russian ballet company. It made its UK debut in a production by the A STAGE KINDLY New Musical Theatre initiative at the Rosemary Branch Theatre in London, following two productions in New York - at the American Theatre of Actors and the Jose Quintero Theatre.
Official Cast for Ballets Russes 2010
The story of the show focuses on the years prior to World War I; of the tumultuous love affair between impresario Diaghilev and the famous male dancer, Nijinsky... and subsequently Nijinsky's ultimate betrayal. Also included in the cast are prima ballerinas Karsavina and Tchessinska, famous composer Stravinski and infamous choreographer Fokine.
The dance company Ballets Russes' productions, which combined new dance, art and music, created a huge sensation around the world; altering the course of musical history - bringing many significant visual artists into the public eye, and completely reinvigorating the art of performing dance. The Ballets Russes was one of the most influential theatre companies of the twentieth century, in part because of its ground-breaking artistic collaboration among contemporary choreographers, composers, artists, and dancers. The influence of the Ballets Russes lasts to this day in one form or another.
Further details at www.astagekindly.com
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Frank Loman performed in BRAVO and DON'T CRY, BUTTERFLY and BALLETS RUSSES, and has worked as a singer, actor, writer and director for almost 20 years. After appearing at Cabaret Confidential in 2009 he premiered his new cabaret Somewhat Over The Rainbow at the Leicester Square Theatre. He is proud to present this show at the Above The Stag Theatre parallel to swinging towels at Bathhouse - The Musical. In 2001 Frank made his
Arabella Rodrigo who appears in BRAVO, SOVIET ZION, and TURKISH DELIGHT THE OPERA, and BALLETS RUSSES studied Jazz, Musical Theatre and Opera at the London College of Music. She was invited by Eddie Harvey to sing at the Ealing Jazz Festival in 2003, marking her professional debut. She then completed her training at the Royal Academy of Music, where she appeared in the choir for Jason Robert Brown and Friends (New Players Theatre 2005). Whilst at the Academy, her theatrical roles included Maria in Nine and Thaisa in Shakespeare's Pericles. Since graduating, her theatrical credits include Coco in the workshops of Desperately Seeking Susan (Criterion Theatre 2006), Mother Maria in Casanova (Tristan Bates Theatre 2007), Townswoman/cover Luisa in Zorro the Musical (UK tour 2008), The Girl in The Nightingale and the Rose (Arcola Theatre 2008), Claudia in Nine (Rose and Crown 2008), the lead singer in A Celebration of Sondheim (Rose and Crown 2008) and The Jason Robert Brown Songbook (Rose and Crown 2009). Last year Arabella was busy filming for A Drop of the Pure in Barcelona (Fascination Pictures 2009), in which she played the role of Natalia and then put on her own production of December Songs in May (Rose and Crown 2009). She recently played the lead role in Gutter Press the Opera. She has also confirmed to create the role of Mirele in the forthcoming out-of-town tryout of Giles Howe and Katy Lipson's new work, SOVIET ZION.
Ian Hallard trained at Mountview. His theatre credits include The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe (West Yorkshire Playhouse), The Importance of Being Earnest (Jermyn Street Theatre), Donkeys' Years (Sonia Friedman Productions), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Bill Kenwright Ltd), Sleeping Beauty (Sadler's Wells), The Tempest (Wimbledon Studio), A Christmas Carol (Antic Disposition), Carmen (Holland Park Opera), The Snow Queen (Image Theatre), Toad of Toad Hall (Eye Theatre), Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Battersea Arts Centre) and two seasons with the Covent Garden Festival in Trial by Jury. He has also performed in cabaret with the comedy barbershop quartet 'Scales of the Unexpected'. Television includes Poirot: Hallowe'en Party, Crooked House, The First Men In The Moon, Horizon, Where the Heart Is, Crisis Control, Marple: The Sittaford Mystery, The Worst Journey in the World, Ideal, Global Conspiracy and Suburban Shootout. Ian's radio credits include Nebulous, Murder Every Monday, Doctor Who, Sapphire and Steel, The Tomorrow People and Judge Dredd.
Jenni Bowden trained at London Studio Centre, graduating with a First Class BA (Hons) in Theatre Dance. Her theatre credits include: Broadsheet Ballads (Occam's Razor); Witches of Eastwick (
Fabian Hartwell performed in BALLETS RUSSES. He is a graduate of the Australian National Drama School (NIDA). While at NIDA, he played John Hinckley in Assassins. Other credits include Buffalo Bill in Silence! (European Premiere), Muddles in Sleeping Beauty (Middleton Arena), Private Harwood in the British Premiere of Kurt Weill's Johnny Johnson (Sadlers Wells), Mack & Mabel (Broadway Theatre, Catford), My Fair Lady (NZ Tour), The Rocky Horror Show (Pan Pacific Productions), Spirit of the Dance (UK Tour) and two Edinburgh Festivals. He is also an accomplished cabaret performer who has performed his own shows in New Zealand, Australia, and the Leicester Square Theatre and more recently at The Duplex in New York City. Following BALLETS RUSSES, he will be appearing in the company of Zaide with Classical Opera and as The Cardinal in The Duchess of Malfi.
Blake Askew trained at the renowned National School of the Arts in South Africa and has just completed the UK national tour of A Midsummer Nights Dream playing Puck. He has recently been seen in the ensemble of Inherit the Wind at the Old Vic last year. Other credits include Cherubino/Leon in the The Figaro Trilogies ( Arcola Theatre/Grimeborne Opera festival- Mozart and Milhaud), the leading role of Peter Lockwood in the satire Credit Crunchie: The Musical at the Colour House Theatre for the AbbeyFest Arts and Jazz Festival, Fleshcreep in Jack and the Beanstalk The Old Market, Hove, Ensemble in To Kill a Mockingbird (Tricycle Theatre, London), Aiden McTell in world premiere of the musical The Secrets of Life and Love ( O'Reilly Theatre, Oxford), Mr Rushworth in Mansfield Park (Upstairs at the Gatehouse, London), Richard II in Shakespeare in Prison (Praxis Theatre), Henry Higgins in Pygmalion ( East Germany tour) Lead Vocalist in The Music of Rodgers and Hammerstein, Ensemble in Cossi Fan Tutti ( Starlight Opera UK)., James Vane in The Picture of Dorian Gray (Wits Theatre, Johannesburg) and Rabbit in Winnie The Pooh ( Civic Theatre Complex, Johannesburg). Blake is also an acting and singing coach and has taught privately as well as at Caravanserai Studios, the Actors Temple and The Broadway Dance Project in South Africa.
Katrina Gibson who played Romola in the A STAGE KINDLY production of David Reiser's BALLETS RUSSES was awarded a Scholarship to study Musical Theatre at the Arts Educational School, Tring. Her Theatre credits include: Bridie in Dancing in My Dreams (Oxfordshire Theatre Company - UK Tour), Anne in Readings from the Diary of Anne Frank & Gloria in Wait Until Dark (Palace Theatre, Watford), Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (UK Tour) and the lead role of Trixie in St Trinian's (Pacific Playhouse). Katrina has also appeared in various concerts and galas (including performances at the Royal Albert Hall and alongside Ballet star Irek Mukhamedov at the London Coliseum) and can be seen in the feature films Miss Potter and Death Defying Acts. Katrina has been lucky to have the opportunity to create roles in the premieres of two new musicals - playing Violet Elizabeth Bott in Just William and the lead role of Cindy La More in Neon at the Library Theatre, Birmingham.