A new Giselle, by Joshua Beamish/MOVETHECOMPANY,
was screened at The Bruno Walter Auditorium in Lincoln Center, New York
City on January 14, 2020. A modern take on the beloved classic; where
dating apps, Snapchat, and Instagram, reinterpret love, sex, and
relationships. Titled @
"The ballet Giselle is one of the most profound constructions of the classical canon.” said Joshua Beamish
as he introduced the show. “I want the original work to exist within
our production as its own ghost - a ghost from another time. Traditional
romance is evaporating. The internet is threatening our ability to
value individuals. @giselle shows the evolved hysteria born from
unanswered texts, likes, and story views. In today's media saturated
environment, is Giselle's descent into "madness" really so shocking? I
hope audiences will relate to Giselle's journey and see themselves in
the plights, struggles, and joys of the varying characters and their
social interactions."
Hurlin, McBride, and Baca joined Beamish on stage after the screening to share the creative process. McBride praised Beamish's hyper-detailed choreography that brought “classical steps into a new light.” The Willis all had their own digital shadow dancing alongside and Hurlin shared that she danced each one in a motion-capturing suit to give the realistic illusion of doubling the number of Willis on stage. Baca noted how Beamish brought a tale as old as time into present-day and quoted his former ABT Director, Kevin McKenzie, "art is an expression of the times in which we live".
Photos by Sean Zanni PMC
