Currently available to watch online as part of Sadler's Wells Digital Stage, this 2019 production of Ballo Arthur Pita's 'The Little Match Girl' (from Hans Christian Andersen), is a triumph of contemporary dance-theatre.
The story has been transferred to 19th century Italy, but the narrative remains unchanged. A poor girl forced to sell matches and not to return home until all are sold lest she receive a beating by her father, forces her to venture further and further into the cold unforgiving night, and as she does, the people she meets (apart from her uncle) treat her with disdain and hatred, shunning and mocking her. In Andersen's story, she eventually succumbs to the cold and her soul is carried off to heaven. However, in order that the audience are not left in floods of tears - and particularly since this is a show for all ages and being shown around the festive season - the end has been reconsidered, and here, just as you think all is over, we see that she has been transported to the moon and dances for the astronauts for the 1969 landing. Genius.
We don't really have the time to cry or emote too much whilst watching in any case as the pace is set right from the start as rather quick and one vignette overlaps the former with elan. Facial expressions from all are a joy, and the dark and conniving humour brought out expertly. This is a rich and imaginative production, which is simply and effectively told, fusing contemporary ballet with more folk dance styles; comedy with tragedy, violence with Punch-And-Judy-esque frivolity, and there are elements throughout of Commedia Dell'Arte meeting Tim Burton!
A bare stage scattered with snow, a dolls' house size town in the hinterground, and a large and loomig omnipresent moon is not only effective but stark and clever. the lighting is superb, as are the sound effects. Music by the rather ironically named Frank Moon is apt, and always adds rather than detracts, and is performed with skill, whilst the choreography is clever and furthers the narrative.
Add to all of this some macabre make-up and costumes and this magical adventure - for that is what it is - transcends the mundane and the mere need to tell a story. It is the ending of this tragic tale that hits home the hardest... a poor little girl back on Earth trying to sell cigarette lighters in the driving snow. Nothing has changed has it?
A whole production from start to finish, beautifully and lovingly crafted. Danced on this recording by Angelo Smimmo, Karl Fagerlund Brekke, Faith Prendergast, and Corey Claire Annand.
A whole production from start to finish, beautifully and lovingly crafted. Danced on this recording by Angelo Smimmo, Karl Fagerlund Brekke, Faith Prendergast, and Corey Claire Annand.
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 10.11.22
on - 10.11.22
Available to rent until Sunday 15 January 2023
Price: £3.50
https://www.sadlerswells.com/
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