La Fille mal gardée

The story

Ever since its triumphant premiere in 1960, Frederick Ashton's La Fille mal gardee has been treasured as one of his happiest creations - his artistic tribute to nature, and an expression of his feelings for his beloved Suffolk countryside. Marianela Nunez and Carlos Acosta perfectly portray the young lovers Lise and Colas, determined to thwart the plans of Widow Simone to marry off her wayward daughter to Alain, the simple son of wealthy Farmer Thomas. Osbert Lancaster's colourful, picture-book designs, along with Ferdinand Herold's tuneful score, arranged by John Lanchbery, provide the perfect setting for Ashton's blissfully bucolic ballet, complete with haywain, pony, maypole and ribbons, a cockrel and his chickens and, of course, the famous clog dance, here wonderfully led by William Tuckett as the irascible but lovable Widow Simone.

Cast

M Marianela NúñezLise C Carlos AcostaColas J Jonathan HowellsAlain W William TuckettWidow Simone D David DrewThomas G Giacomo CiriaciCockerel G Gemma BondHen B Bethany KeatingHen I Iohna LootsHen N Natasha OughtredHen C Christina ArestisLise's Friend D Deirdre ChapmanLise's Friend

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L Lauren CuthbertsonLise's Friend C Cindy JourdainLise's Friend S Sarah LambLise's Friend L Laura MoreraLise's Friend V Vanessa PalmerLise's Friend C Christina Elida SalernoLise's Friend A Alastair MarriottVillage Notary