Product Description

Ever since it s triumphant premiere in January 1960, Frederick Ashton's La fille mal gardée has been esteemed as one of his happiest creations. This is a charming piece, elegantly performed, a village love affair set in the idyllic Constable landscape of Ashton's imagination. Marianela Nuñez and Carlos Acosta would be show-stoppers in almost any suitable role, but as Lise and Colas they are superb. William Tuckett and Jonathan Howells, in the comic roles of Simone and Alain respectively, are every bit as arresting, both displaying a certain genius for knockabout. The luminously colourful Osbert Lancaster designs, together with the vitality of The Royal Ballet's dancing and vibrant playing from the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House under the baton of Anthony Twiner, serve to augment the harmless good fun at which Ashton excels.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5685 in DVD
• Released on: 2008-06-02
• Rating: Exempt
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Anamorphic, Classical, Colour, DTS Surround Sound, DVD-Video, PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 112 minutes

Synopsis
The Royal Ballet interpret Frederick Ashton's masterful work LA FILLE MAL GARDEE. Since its inception in 1960, Ashton's ballet has gained plaudits from across the globe, and its choreography is based on a similar work by Dauberval which dates back to 1789. A delightful comedy, the ballet can't fail to raise a smile, but is rarely performed, so fans will be delighted to find it preserved here in its entirety.

Review
The Royal Ballet's present revival makes much of its vigorous characters, its brilliantly virtuosic solos and duets...[Marianella Nunez] gives the swift, intricate footwork as gorgeously as I have ever seen it. ...Nunez is an excellent match for Carlos Acosta's whizzing solos and his cheerful eagerness as her admirer Colas. ...Altogether, a terrific show. --The Stage

Customer Reviews

Pure Magic
One of the all time great performances of 'La Fille' - thankfully captured on film for us all to savour forever.
A perfect partnership for this ballet where both dancers share perfect chemistry. Carlos Acosta already an international ballet star is in perfect form - his sense of timing and comedy blends well with the complex Aston style. The beautiful, cheeky and sunny Marinella Nunez shines gloriously as Lise - a role she was born to play. Make no mistake, Argentine born Nunez is one of the finest dancers of her generation. Covent Garden and the british ballet world has already fallen head over heals in love with this lovely lady - apart from her obvious elegance and talent she also possesses the likeability factor - her genuine warmth makes people smile.
Special credit should also be made to the genious who is Will Tuckett for his comic Widow Simone - he makes this larger than life character his own with histerical precision.
So if you are ever down and want chearing up - then put on the dvd - it will always do the trick and get you smiling. Somehow the world feels better! The Royal Ballet at their very finest - pure magic!

Lovely
This is a great and funny performance of "La Fille Mal Gardee." Carlos Acosta's dancing is powerful and incredible, as always, and he is cheeky and charming as Colas. Marianela Nuñez is also perfect as Lise, with her sunny smile and her soft, graceful dancing. I especially loved the grand pas-de-deux with all the ribbons. I was not sure about William Tuckett as the mother, just because his performance seemed a little overdone and his acting too exaggerated, but he was still great and his clog dance was good. It's still another great performance from the Royal Ballet.

La Fille Mal Gardee by Carlos Acosta
[ASIN:B0018MRAZC La Fille Mal Gardée, [DVD] [2005]]]

This dvd is in black and white. I found this very disappointing. The cover advertising the dvd was shown in colour, which I consider misleading.