'Anastasia' is a three-act ballet, with choreography by the British dance-master Kenneth MacMillan, and music from the 1st and 3rd Symphonies of Tchaikovsky in Acts 1 and 2, and from Martinu's Sixth Symphony in the terrifying Act III. It received its premiere in 1971, and was revived in the 1990's, when I saw it on two occasions at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, with the ballerina Sarah Wildor taking the leading role on both occasions. It is a beautiful work, evoking very effectively the life and times of the real Anastasia and the impostor Anna Anderson. Act 1 takes place on board 'Standart' in August 1914, and the IF is holding a picnic on deck. The carefree and happy scenes include the GD's dancing with officers until the party comes to an abrupt end as the Tsar receives news of the outbreak of War. Act II is altogether darker and more sombre. The time is now early 1917 and the place Petrograd. To try and lighten everyone's mood, a ball is organised and the Tsar invites his favourite ballerina ~ none other than Kschessinska, with whom he had an early liaison ~ to dance for everyone. Anastasia is puzzled by the attraction between the two and is about to work it out when a burst of revolutionary activity is heard outside and the ball ends. Act III takes place many years later, and for the woman who is claiming to be Anastasia past and present seem to intermingle as she relives incidents in her life since the events at Ekaterinburg ~ escape and rescue, the birth of a child, marriage, the death of her husband and disappearance of her child, attempted suicide, and finally confrontations with relatives and servants of the IF. In the conclusion she descends into madness and despair.
Yes, fictional in some parts, but certainly not 'crap' as was stated above. The programme is a lavish glossy booklet with many photos showing the dancers and also the real characters. There are articles by John Klier and Helen Mingay, authors of 'The Quest for Anastasia'. Remember the production (1971) pre-dates the DNA research which later proved that Anna Anderson was an impostor. The music is wonderful, and when seen on stage with first-rate dancers, costumes, scenery etc., the effect is stunning ~ that's why I saw it twice! GD 42 has posted a link to some on-stage photos ~ another production and not the London one I saw, but they look good don't they?
GD 42 ~ I have a spare copy of the programme for the London production of 'Anastasia' (as I said I saw it twice!). If you would like it, PM me and I'll send it to you.
