Take the bull by the horns and see Greek classics
Two extraordinary performances are awaited at Bath’s Ustinov Theatre this August for lovers of Greek mythology in general and of bulls and labyrinths in particular.
Christine Rice’s awardnominated performance of Benjamin Britten’s Phaedra will be presented alongside the world premiere of Minotaur, a new dance piece from Olivier Awardwinning choreographer Kim
Brandstrup.
Bath will become the new Crete when the double-bill opens at the Ustinov Studio on Friday, August 12 to Tuesday, August 23. Rice, left, is one of the leading British singers of her generation, a regular performer at the major European opera houses. Richard Hetherington has re-imagined Benjamin Britten’s intense and evocative cantata Phaedra for the piano especially developed for the intimate space of the Ustinov Studio.
On the day of her wedding to Theseus, Phaedra catches sight of his young son Hippolytus and falls instantly in love with him. Consumed by lust and a longing for a love she knows cannot be requited, death will be her only escape.
The second part of the thrilling double-bill performance is the world premiere of a newly commissioned dance piece, Minotaur.
Minotaur is performed by New York-based Laurel Dalley Smith who hails from Bath, Jonathan Goddard (both pictured right) and Tommy Franzen.
Phaedra’s sister Ariadne is the inspiration for Minotaur.
Often depicted as a creature of great masculine power and invincible strength, the Minotaur is also a creature trapped, isolated and abandoned.
The Greek hero’s journey into the labyrinth is a confrontation with this ambiguous world of masculinity.
Ariadne stands by the entrance to the maze, she wheels out the thread that will secure – hopefully – a safe return.
Originally from Bath, Dalley Smith is a member of The Martha Graham Dance Company in New York. She is also a guest artist with UK and Los Angeles-based dance company, Yorke Dance Project.
Phaedra and Minotaur appear at the Ustinov Studio at the Theatre Royal Bath. Tickets are on sale from the theatre box office on 01225 448844 and online at www. theatreroyal.org.uk/ustinov.