Designing Dance - New Wings for Madame Butterfly
26th October, 2010
So far this week's Guest Blog from The Australian Ballet is making me feel like a little girl in lolly shop! I'm giddy with excitement and overwhelmed by how beautiful everything is! Mostly I'm amazed by the talent of those who, piece by piece, contribute to every element of the production. - Jenny x
Photos by Thomas Dallas Watson
I’m ushered into a large workroom where seamstresses are quietly fastening hems with precision. Inside the wardrobe department of The Primrose Potter Australian Ballet Centre, swathes of silk are pinned to a mannequin named Pavlova, piles of tulle sprout from table corners, and huge wicker baskets filled with boots and slippers line the walls.
Photograph by Kate Scott
While The Australian Ballet is touring Tokyo and Nagoya, wardrobe production manager Michael Williams agrees to give me a sneak peek at the restoration process of Stanton Welch’s seductive production of Madame Butterfly. The ballet, an adaptation of Puccini’s classic opera, was designed by Peter Farmer, one of the dance world’s most experienced and revered artists. His costumes – all 170 of them – are currently undergoing necessary repairs before the company next performs the ballet, from February 2011.
Photos by Thomas Dallas Watson
In the workroom, amidst the maze of deep plum organza ball gowns and mossy green kimonos, there lie several ‘Kabuki Sailor’ costumes that appear to be bleeding deep crimson, and a set of black mesh masks that look suitable for fencing. It is a ballet of stark contrasts, with the ultra-feminine, languid kimonos placed against the warrior-like outfits worn by the dominating males.
Madame Butterfly pic by Paul Empsom
Diaphanous silks float delicately from the arms of the female dancers, seeming only to illuminate the pathos of Butterfly’s story. Sculptural black head-dresses worn by the Japanese men might have been plucked out of a Philip Treacy showroom, whereas Butterfly’s girlfriends wear flowers in their hair so delicate it is as though each young woman has been sprinkled with cherry blossoms.
- Annie Carroll, a former dancer with The Australian Ballet who hung up her pointe shoes in 2009 to study media and communications. When Annie is not putting pen to paper, she is most likely found indulging her passion for independent publications, perusing pretty clothes, and digesting tea and biscuits.
What incredible images! The fabrics are divine. Thanks for sharing.
Looking forward to the rest of the series – I hope there is one about their props/amazing scenery pieces too!
The costume in the last image is absolutely stunning.
Amazing costume! Would love to win the Madame Butterfly to put all theses incredible designs together.
look at all those shoes! and the costume is so beautiful.
Oh, the kimonos! Just stunning… I’ll be marking Feb 2011 in my calendar for sure..
What a hive of activity that workroom must be! Such a wealth of talent behind the scenes & hours & hours of rehearsals for each & every performance….I am completely mesmerised by those graceful ballerinas on the stage & have such admiration for every aspect of what must go into each & every one of those amazing productions….& the backdrop ….our stunning Opera House…BRAVO!!…What a fabulous night out!!
of course like your web-site but you have to take a look at
the spelling on quite a few of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling
issues and I in finding it very bothersome to tell the truth on the other hand I’ll certainly come back again.
Feel free to visit my web page: voice digital recorders
For most recent news you have to pay a quick visit internet and on the web I found
this website as a best website for most recent updates.
Also visit my weblog voice recorders reviews
Fine way of telling, and nice article to obtain information about my presentation
topic, which i am going to deliver in university.
Feel free to surf to my web page … Carlo
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter
updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.
Here is my site … handheld digital voice recorder
I was recommended this blog by my cousin. I am not sure whether
this post is written by him as no one else know such detailed about my difficulty.
You are wonderful! Thanks!
my web-site; http://creditunionrevolution.com
Do you have a spam issue on this site; I also am
a blogger, and I was wondering your situation; we have developed some nice
procedures and we are looking to trade techniques with others,
be sure to shoot me an email if interested.
my page; solar systems perth
Hello, this weekend is good in support of me, since this time i am reading this enormous educational piece of writing here at my home.
Feel free to surf to my web site :: Commercial Solar
What a information of un-ambiguity and preserveness of precious
familiarity concerning unexpected emotions.
Here is my weblog; Georgia
It’s very simple to find out any matter on net as compared to textbooks, as I found this post at this web site.
I think this is one of the most significant information for me.
And i am satisfied studying your article. However should remark on
few common issues, The website taste is perfect, the
articles is really excellent : D. Excellent task, cheers
My web page – 12v solar panels perth
What’s up, all is going sound here and ofcourse every one is sharing data, that’s truly excellent,
keep up writing.
If some one needs expert view on the topic of running a blog then i recommend him/her to go to see this blog,
Keep up the nice work.
my blog post hard water
Hi there would you mind sharing which blog platform you’re using? I’m planning to
start my own blog soon but I’m having a tough time deciding between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design and style seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for
something unique. P.S My apologies for
being off-topic but I had to ask!
Very good post. I am facing some of these issues as well..
Also visit my web site … dental implants san diego Cost (jigsy.com)
I think this is one of the most vital info for me. And i am
glad reading your article. But wanna remark on some general things,
The site style is perfect, the articles is really great : D.
Good job, cheers
Also visit my blog post dental care (http://dentalcare11.wordpress.com)
Great blog you have here but I was wanting to know if you knew of any community forums that cover the same topics discussed here?
I’d really like to be a part of online community where I can get comments from other
experienced people that share the same interest. If you have any suggestions, please
let me know. Appreciate it!
Look into my page kitchen design layout (Jerilyn)
I do agree with all of the ideas you have offered on your post.
They’re very convincing and will certainly work. Nonetheless,
the posts are too quick for novices. May just you please prolong them a
little from subsequent time? Thanks for the post.
Look at my homepage … toronto home renovations (kitchenupd257.livejournal.com)
This procedure is an improved version of the regular tummy tuck procedure.
Complete abdominoplasty usually takes two to five
hours, depending upon the extent of the work needed. Unlike fats building
within the abdominal region, panniculus is hard to remove
through regular exercise and balanced diet.
Also visit my blog :: Abdominoplastia (Boyd)