Wilde Extravaganza 2008

Wilde Extravaganza

In the wake of the successes Ballet Ireland has enjoyed over the past ten years with its series of Gala programmes, and in particular our Diaghilev and Tchaikovsky seasons, we now embark on Wilde Extravaganza. This groundbreaking programme sees the commission of brand new ballets based on works written by the renowned Irish dramatist and poet, Oscar Wilde. First amongst these is the biblical "Salomé", originally refused licence for performance in England; it took some thirty years after Wilde¹s death before it was performed there. "The Picture of Dorian Gray", the extraordinary account of the narcissist who retains his innocent, youthful beauty, receives a balletic retelling, as we see, over the years, his portrait assume the expressions and shadows of each of his vices. Wilde's great fable, "The Birthday of the Infanta", contrasts the spontaneity, wonder and inner beauty of the hideous dwarf with the harsh formalities and cynicism of the Infanta and the Spanish Court, which eventually break his heart. And finally 'Sing, Sing, Sing Inspired by the swing and big band music of the 1930¹s, and by the work of legendary jazz choreographer, Bob Fosse.

Wilde Extravaganza Touring Dates