La Fille Mal Gardée [DVD] [2001]

Now this one's a cracker.

It's the most entertaining ballet in the repertoire, it doesn't date and it doesn't tire. There are some comments on here about the look of the production: some people say it looks 'dated' - well, that's the whole point. The decor, which is 100% traditional, and by a very English cartoonist (Osbert Lancaster), is not afraid to send itself up a bit, and the ballet is hazily nostalgic in a countryside that could never exist except in our fondest imaginings. It's all the more glorious because of it. (If you don't believe me, ask yourself how many times you have seen chickens dancing!)

There are now quite a few versions of the ballet available on DVD. Think carefully before leaping for your wallet. 'La Fille Mal Gardee' was created for the Royal Ballet by Sir Frederick Ashton, so I'd go for this one that was produced in 1981 - during his lifetime. It has all Ashton's hallmarks, and it's far and away the best and most enjoyable performance.

Some people of course will go for the more recent DVD featuring (or rather 'starring') Carlos Acosta, simply because they've heard of him. Let's face it, he's good at publicity in the way that a lot of modern stars are good at publicity - and the Royal Ballet has been quick to cash in on this. He's also very showy, and a crowd-pleaser - but he's not really suitable for 'La Fille Mal Gardee'. (While he may be excellent in certain roles, nobody could accuse him of being subtle, and subtlety is something you need by the bucketload with an Ashton ballet. You certainly need it with 'Fille' - and you also have to look as though you don't mind dancing with lengths of ribbon. I can't help feeling that Acosta finds ribbon a bit of a challenge to his macho image.)

There are no such problems with Michael Coleman in this earlier BBC production. He is perfect for the role of Colas, and the lovely Lesley Collier (Lise) is fortunate in her partner, who has warmth and tenderness stamped all over him. Coleman also executes the bravura bits to spectacular perfection, and if you want to see more of his leaps and jumps, have a look at his performance of Jeremy Fisher in 'The Tales of Beatrix Potter' - a delightful feature film with some exquisite dancing, also created by Ashton.

'La Fille Mal Gardee' is here conducted by John Lanchberry, who adapted Herold's original score - and he milks it for all it's worth, obviously relishing every swipe of his baton. This is ballet to enjoy on every level: chickens, clog-dancing widows, village idiots, haymaking peasants - all human life is here, wrapped up in the dusty warmth of a summer afternoon, and you'll need a box of tissues handy for the romantic bits. They never fail.

Trust me: this is one for the collection - give me vintage Collier and Coleman every time!

La Fille mal gardee (The Unchaperoned Girl) has a long history and several changes of music. It was first performed in 1789 to a medley of French songs and airs. In 1828 Herold wrote a new score incorporating music by Rossini and Donizetti with his own original composition. In 1864 Hertel revised the score adding the unforgettable "Clog Dance" in Act 2.

The ballet was revived in 1960 with choreography by Frederick Ashton and wiith superb designs by Osbert Lancaster, the score being revised by John Lanchberry based on Herold's composition but retaining the "Clog Dance". It is true the plot can hardly support a full length ballet, but as one is swept along by the lively music this hardly seems important.

This lovely 1981 performance is based on the 1960 production and is full of high spirits and is simply just great fun. With fine dancing from the principals Lesley Collier and Michael Coleman,good comic characterisation by Leslie Edwards as the mother and Gary Grant as the bumbling suitor, excellent sound, clean bright photography and of course Lanchberry's conducting.

Ballet DVDs don't get much better than this.

This is a delighful work, set in pastoral setting and might have been a little jewel had it received a better presentation by the Royal Ballet. Unfortunately, the production looks old and drab. Sets rely heavily on the use of backdrops -sometimes just on that,- and costumes are colorful but unimaginative. To make things worse, the dvd seems to be a direct transfer from the original videotape, without any attempt at remastering and the picture quality is mediocre, making the production seem even poorer. Sound is good.

Leslie Collier dances Lise. She is a lovely ballerina, and, in my opinion, the basic reason for anyone to purchase this dvd.

Michael Coleman as her (aging?) boyfriend, was a disappointment.

Brian Shaw as the Mother was wonderfully funny and almost stole the show.

The rest of the dancers were good.