Strange Allure: 'Pierrot Lunaire' Dances into Present

Glen Tetley's influential 1962 ballet, 'Pierrot Lunaire,' has returned to the stage, resonating with contemporary audiences while retaining its historical significance. The production, performed at the Linbury Theatre, is a powerful revival that speaks to enduring artistic sensibilities.

Set to Arnold Schoenberg's challenging atonal score, the ballet draws from commedia dell'arte. It tells the story of the moonstruck Pierrot, his burgeoning desires triggered by Columbine, and the manipulative Brighella. The choreography masterfully fuses classical ballet's elongated lines with the grounded intensity of Martha Graham's technique.

Performances by Marcelino Sambé as Pierrot, Mayara Magri as Columbine, and Matthew Ball as Brighella are superb. They inhabit the work's psychologically charged mood, enhanced by striking face makeup and a sparse, evocative set. The dance is characterized by its clear, purposeful movement and striking visual metaphors.

Despite its refined aesthetic and powerful execution, the ballet's exploration of repressed desires through sometimes crude Freudian iconography creates a strange, unsettling, and potent theatrical experience. The revival proves that its artfulness endures, offering a revitalizing encounter with a pivotal work in dance history.