Le Corsaire proves that there’s more to ballet than just beauty and grace.
That’s because Ballet Manila’s Le Corsaire is also filled with the type of action and adventure that will keep you at the edge of your seat. It’s a simple story of pirates who rescue harem girls from slave traders, but the exploits that ensue are anything but simple. The journey takes you to exotic locations over land and sea, paired with a hefty serving of swordplay and acrobatics.
The thing that sets Le Corsaire apart from most classics is the unforgiving choreography. The whole show is a physical exhibition, from ballerinas holding balance longer than normal to danseurs leaping in ways that shouldn’t even be humanly possible. It requires a rare combination of skill and physical conditioning. Fortunately, our corps de ballet has enough of both.
We’re bringing out the aces for this show – with resident Guest Principal Katherine Barkman taking on the role of Medora. Meanwhile, her constant stage partner Joseph Phillips will play the dashing Conrad. Both principal dancers are medaled veterans of the USA International Ballet Competition, with Katherine returning from back-to-back wins at the USA IBC and the Varna IBC last June and July. They will be joined by Katherine’s fellow Asian Grand Prix medalist and USA IBC special awardee Nicole Barroso, who will dance one of the most iconic ballet variations in her debut as Gulnara.
Le Corsaire is one of the most loved classics in Ballet Manila’s repertoire. Our very own Lisa Macuja-Elizalde regularly played Medora throughout her career, until she passed the role to the next generation of ballerinas in 2013. Medora’s pas de trois with Conrad and Ali—one of the most celebrated passages in classical ballet—is one not to miss!
Le Corsaire is scheduled to run at the Aliw Theater on October 20 at 6:00 p.m. and on October 21 at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are also available through all TicketWorld outlets. Call 891-9999, or visit the www.bit.ly/BuyLeCorsaire to buy online.