Stream: Mata Hari
It is the story of the Dutch spy and dancer, who was known all over the world. The young girl from Friesland became an internationally celebrated dancer; a star who wound every man around her little finger and a strong, self-willed woman, who was later accused of treason. Over a hundred years ago Margaretha Geertruida Zelle (Mata Hari’s real name) was executed as a spy.
What a thrilling and spectacular two act ballet! No expense is spared on the set and costumes and with the usual outstanding technical standards of this premier company. But by nature of the story, it is really a one woman show. Russian principal dancer Anna Tsygankova takes on this leonine task and pulls it off. A small child dancer enters showing her happy childhood before Tsygankova conveys the different phases of her life magnificently through two gruelling acts. Surviving a tragic hasty marriage to a privileged officer in the Dutch Indies, contracting syphilis which leads to the death of her young son and her decision to re-invent herself as an exotic dancer, this accomplished ballerina brings every emotion to telling her story with her magnificent performance. We really care about her fate and the shocking finale where she refuses to wear a blindfold as they shoot her is shocking. A tragic figure lies prone on the stage as the curtain comes down to huge applause.
This central performance unfortunately leaves the rest of the company as side players. There are terrific pas de deux, especially in the first half, with her various lovers who ultimately use and reject her. The corps are left to take on various scene settings as households, Parisian life, exotic dancers, and military personnel. The remarkably high standard and discipline of this renowned company is never at fault. You get the feeling that the Dutch Ballet Director and choreographer, Ted Brandson, became so engrossed in telling the story that he saw the other players as background. Probably because there is little known about them.
I loved the scene where Diaghilev rejects her for the Ballet Russe and would have liked to see more. By all accounts she was not genuinely good enough. A case of believing your own reputation. This is also true about the rumours of her spying. If one were lucky enough to be in a live audience then programme notes would have made it clear.
The set and lighting are designed by über-stylists, Clement and Sanou, and the costumes by Francois-Noel Chapin. They reflect the European chic often missing from British productions. Happily, the original score, composed by leading British composer Tarik O’Regan and played smoothly by the Dutch Ballet Orchestra demonstrates the wealth of musical talent in the UK. How great it is to see commissions for new work for ballet instead of leaning on established work as many choreographers do. The score and the set create a cinematic experience. You almost feel that you are watching a movie with the scenes and dance moving swiftly from one scenario to another. Watch carefully or you will miss them! But ultimately the success of the whole depends on the central ballerina. There is no doubt that this production relies on the outstanding performance of Anna Tsygankova. With superb acting skills and impossibly alluring lyrical lines and feet this is a starring tour de force. I recommend you catch it while you can.
This original production, premiered in 2016, is now available on Sky Arts.
