The Stage

La Fille mal gardee

Published Wednesday 10 March 2010 at 13:25 by Gavin Roebuck

This, the oldest title in the repertoire, dates from 1789, with Frederick Ashton’s celebrated choreography from 1960, superbly staged by Christopher Carr.

A scene from La Fille Mal Gardee at The Royal Opera House Photo: Tristram Kenton

As Lise, the wayward daughter of the title, Marianela Nunez is adorable, filling the stage with her radiance. Carlos Acosta brings his crowd pleasing personality to the part of Colas. William Tuckett as Lise’s guardian aunt brings the right amount of underplayed music hall humour to the role of Widow Simone, especially pleasing the audience in the jaunty clog dance. Humour and pathos too from Jonathan Howells as the unfortunate Alain.

This show has much to please, from the cockerel of Paul Kay, and his four hens, the real pony, the charming ribbon dance, the maypole and, typical of any English picnic, a storm. With pastoral sweetness, the rustic dances are performed with a joyous spirit, though of course Ashton’s gorgeous ensembles of villagers and harvesters have as much farm worker authenticity as Marie Antoinette did when she played at being a shepherdess. The wedding pas de deux has a beautiful elegance.

This is a work of charm and each generation of dancers makes it their own, though the English schooling based on the De Valois interpretation of the Cecchetti technique seems subtly diluted, which if unchecked will change the character of the piece.

Osbert Lancaster’s designs still amuse and delight, as does the score, the orchestra of the ROH being conducted by Daniel Capps. Other valuable casts perform during the run.