France’s Ballet Preljocaj presents an exclusive season of their dark take on 'Snow White' for the QPAC International Series.
“From the mesmerising music of Mahler to the exquisitely detailed costumes designed by Jean Paul Gaultier, not to mention the fantastic group of dancers performing it, this work is monumental,” explains Verity Jacobsen, an Australian-born Ballet Preljocaj dancer.
Ballet Preljocaj, headed by Angelin Preljocaj, is considered one of the leading contemporary ballet companies in the world, and this year the QPAC International Series programme will include their violent, dark and controversial production of 'Snow White'. The production features costumes designed by the legendary Gaultier and music performed by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.
In previous years the International Series has brought exclusive seasons of the Bolshoi Ballet, the Hamburg Ballet, the Paris Opera Ballet and the American Ballet Theatre. And this year Ballet Preljocaj joins this list of prestigious, global companies. “I am very honoured to have been invited to attend this year’s QPAC International Series and be in the company of the other very professional companies,” Artistic Director Angelin Preljocaj says.
“And I hope that we will be able to present a magical evening and live up to the expectations of the audience.”
The company will perform their own take on a Grimm Brothers classic fairy tale. “'Snow White' is a narrative work where the dancers are incarnate different characters,” continues Verity. “I love interpreting a character within a show, especially when it’s dark. There is something exhilarating about embracing a different personality and wholeheartedly transitioning into this being or object.
"I am one of two cats, who are always at the Queen’s side and just as evil as the Queen herself."
“This 'Snow White' is indeed inspired by the darker, original tale by the Brothers Grimm; it is a tale where everyone does not live happily ever after… but despite this dark side, I feel like it actually shows a more human side to this well-known fairy tale,” Verity continues.
Angelin Preljocaj explains further. “I think the Snow White project is very important, because I think now there is a lot of negativity surrounding beauty in present societies. A woman can live longer and be very complex and beautiful, and at 50-years old she can still look youthful. I like this idea, and I think it makes the tale of Snow White more complex. I think also a woman doesn’t just want to be a mother anymore – we are no longer this old fashioned. She can now be a mother and work and be completely prominent in our society. But, like we see in 'Snow White', this however can also be a complication, because this woman and her daughter can be in competition with each other.”
When asked how and why he started dancing before moving into directing, Angelin explains: “I started dancing very young, and I always loved to dance. I know a lot of people who have stopped dancing and I always want to ask them why, and for many people it is always something that requires too much time and commitment. But I think if people really love it, they feel like they have to be a part of it somehow so I made it my life.”
Angelin’s choreography is widely regarded as being very intelligent and influential among other companies from all over the world. As classical ballet companies begin to branch out into a more contemporary styles and experiment with new choreography, it is Ballet Preljocaj that they turn to for inspiration. “Each company has their own style and way of dancing. I always feel very interested after a collaboration than before, then I go back to my company and I try to find the similarities between the different companies.
“Sometimes people say that there is not a lot of difference between a classical ballet company and a contemporary company. But I think that each company has a lot of charm, and although ballet is something global and we share the same steps the style is very different and I love to see how each company interprets the choreography,” Angelin enthusiastically explains.
While speaking to Angelin, I found it at times difficult to understand his French accent and his intensity. The language barrier is something that dancer Verity has also had to overcome. “Unlike most European companies, we work only in French. Never in my life have I had to use so many of my different senses at the same time, while trying to learn new choreography and communicating with my colleagues; I have discovered that hand gestures are very important,” Verity humorously alludes.
“But I appreciate the dynamic work environment created amongst my colleagues. The dancers come from all over the world which makes for a very rich work environment,” she says.
Verity also explains the points of difference between Angelin’s choreography and that of other companies around the world. “Angelin’s choreography has its own underlying movement vocabulary as its foundation. This foundation is imperative to be able to seamlessly switch from show to show. Each work has a very distinct approach, which makes the repertoire very diverse,” she says.
“Ballet Preljocaj tours multiple shows simultaneously; one moment I could be performing Les Nourrices (The Nannies) from Romeo and Juliette, which is extremely upright and rotated, and a week later I might be performing Les Gargouilles (The Cats) from Snow White, which is powerful, dark and agile. I will be dancing the role of Les Gargouilles at QPAC. I am one of two cats, who are always at the Queen’s side and just as evil as the Queen herself. The role is quite athletic and there is a lot of freedom to explore the personalities of the cats as they interact with other characters on stage,” Verity says.
Verity began her training in Australia before moving to a professional school in New Zealand where she studied classical ballet before discovering her love for contemporary ballet in her second year in New Zealand. “After I finished my training, I began working independently with numerous contemporary and classical choreographers throughout Australia and New Zealand. And later lined up a few auditions, and travelled to Europe in 2013.
“After the intense two-day audition for Ballet Preljocaj I was offered an intermittent contract, which I accepted with utter delight, and since 2015 I have had a permanent contract with the company. I really enjoy the diversity of Angelin’s works and continue to learn and grow as a dancer. This is something that I see myself doing for a long time to come,” Verity says.
This will be the first time Verity gets to perform in her home country in front of family and friends. “Returning home to Australia to perform 'Snow White' is absolutely thrilling, I am so happy to have the opportunity to go back to my country to share all that I have learnt. It means a lot to me to be able to perform on my home soil. This is where my love of dance originated so these performances will be very meaningful to me,” Verity says.
Ballet Preljocaj’s Snow White plays QPAC’s Lyric Theatre as part of Brisbane Festival 2-11 September.
