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5 Reasons to see LAC

In LAC, Jean-Christophe Maillot draws out the darker aspects of Swan Lake - the thin barrier between our human and animal natures, our greedy desires, the fragility of love - to create a sensual, frightening cousin of the world's most famous ballet.

Published on
20 Sep 2018

600 x 400 LAC BADEN 2016 AB 107 min — Artists of Les Ballet de Monte-Carlo. Photo Alice Blangero.

Les Ballet de Monte-Carlo

For the first time, this celebrated company brings its full troupe to Australia. Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo was Princess Grace of Monaco's dream project, realised after her death by her daughter, Princess Caroline. Under the directorship of choreographer Jean-Christophe Maillot, the company has won fame as an interpreter of innovative works that infuse the classical language with modern flair. Its visit to Melbourne is a rare opportunity to see one of Europe's leading dance troupes performing their signature work.

Cutting-edge Design

LAC hovers between the elegant world of the court and the animal world of the forest. Costume designer Philippe Guillotel, who has worked in haute couture, dance and film as well as creating costumes for the Winter Olympics and World Cup ceremonies, plays with the bestial nature of the swan: "...we used the same material as the tutu, a tulle that we reworked and deconstructed to get closer to the idea of fur or down. But this time, the down is not used to create the ethereal vision of the ballerina. Instead, we accentuated the animal side." Ernest Pignon-Ernest, who created the staging for LAC, works with "an architecture of black-and-white silk" and "cascades of black metal" to frame the brooding characters. The lair of Her Majesty the Night is "a place of archaic dread".

600 x 400 LAC LUDWIGSHAFEN 2016 AB 010 min — Artists of Les Ballet de Monte-Carlo. Photo Alice Blangero.

600 x 400 DSC4624 min — Artists of Les Ballet de Monte-Carlo. Photo Alice Blangero.

600 x 400 DSC2800 min — Artists of Les Ballet de Monte-Carlo. Photo Alice Blangero.

Love Triangles

In LAC, the traditional love triangle of Swan Lake - White Swan, Black Swan, Prince - is mirrored by the jealousy and attraction simmering between the King, his Queen and Her Majesty the Night, scheming mother of the Black Swan. Erotically charged trouble swirls around the castle.

600 x 400 DSC2616 min — Artists of Les Ballet de Monte-Carlo. Photo Alice Blangero.

Contemporary and Classical

Jean-Christophe Maillot is one of the rare choreographers who can combine the fine lines of classical ballet with the unexpected twists and turns of contemporary movement. Get your pointe shoes and your provocation in one piquant package.

600 x 400 DSC 1919 min — Artists of Les Ballet de Monte-Carlo. Photo Alice Blangero.

A New Take on Tradition

It's the best of both worlds. The swans, the dramatic love story and the spellbinding score of the traditional Swan Lake and Maillot's innovations, which will keep you guessing until the last step.