“The Nutcracker” gets a modern twist; A techno party to ring in the New Year
It’s an old tradition to stage the fairy tale ballet Nutcracker,” based on a fantastic short story by the German romantic author E.T.A. Hoffmann, on New Year’s Eve. This year you’ll be able to see not only its classic version, which will be staged at the National Opera Theater, but its modern version as well. The dancers will be dressed in wide tutu skirts, but will mask themselves in the grey costumes of mice and put aside their delicate pointed shoes – and these are not the only surprises awaiting the ballet and contemporary art fans.
The premiere of the modernized Nutcracker is a long-expected show created by the Kyiv Modern Ballet troupe, headed by its founder and choreographer Radu Poklitaru, whose portfolio includes such ballets as “Karmen TV,” “Shakespeariments,” “Bolero” ballets, and the opera-ballet “Le Forze del Destino.” The new ballet preserves the original music by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, yet the whole choreography will be changed and saturated with irony and the sensuality peculiar to all Poklitaru’s performances. Bright decorations and daring costumes are designed by Andriy Zlobin and Anna Ipatieva, who worked on previous performances by Poklitaru.
In the program, “The Nutcracker” is called a ballet for grown-ups, and such a label is absolutely justified. The story revolves around a maturing teenage girl, whose relatives are dressed like big mice, and the doll, that transforms into a young Prince. However, behind the colorful masks and exquisite costumes, “The Nutcracker” hides the story of growing sexuality, unveiling complexes, and sheer grown-up passions.
Ivan Franko National Drama Theater (3 Franka Ploshcha, 279-5921). Dec. 30, 31 at 7 p.m. Tickets from Hr 30 to Hr 250
The night club Cinema is going to entertain you with sets from real harsh techno-deejays Pedro Delgardo and Stephane Signore. Enjoying a reputation as large as any deejay in any other genre, Pedro Delgardo is one of those rare types in the world of techno managing to cross over with ease into other realms, finding fans in genres such as electro right through to tech trance. Pedro Delgardo is a real fan of the energetic DJ-ing based on his expert use of Ableton live. Pedro is no stranger to the world’s biggest festivals, such as the Love parade, as well as doing guest appearances on leading radio shows such as BBC Radio 1, and regularly playing at leading club events like The Gallery and Gatecrasher, among many others. With releases on the world’s biggest dance labels, including “RIP,” Intec and ID&T, Pedro also runs the leading label Yin Yang, which offers an outlet for Pedro’s heavily supported and eagerly anticipated material, but also plays host to a range of leading artists, providing tracks and remixes including the likes of Axel Karakasis, Killian, DJ Preach, Olivier Giacomotto and Christian Fischer.
Stephane Signore has always had a passion for electronic music. At the age of 19 he decided to throw himself head first into the art of DJ-ing and soon after was playing at local parties. In the last four years, Stephane has played DJ sets at various locations all over Belgium and France with his funky, punchy and groovy style, using EFX and three turntables. Always in search of new challenges, Stephane decided to work with Pedro Delgardo’s label Yin Yang. For those who would like to continue partying on Jan. 1, Cinema will hold an after party, “TechnoDetki” with the participation of such deejays as Shl’e’ma, Skaz, Loyva, Lesik and Moscow DJ star Andrey Zorge.
Cinema (1 Entusiastiv, 555-5854). Dec. 31 at 7 p.m. Tickets are Hr 150 before 1 a.m., Hr 200 after 1 a.m.
Afterparty. Jan. 1 at 11 p.m. Tickets are Hr 50 before midnight Hr 60 after midnight
