Beauty and Power: The Firebird captivates

Finding the perfect balance between emotional and social issues Loughlan Prior’s fresh choreography of Fokien’s Firebird is world class. This breathtaking production of exquisite dance and superb staging by the Royal New Zealand Ballet is brought together by Igor Stravinsky’s original score. This year we were privileged to have Orchestra Wellington perform live behind the masterful baton of Hamish McKeich.

Stravinsky’s score - the first of many of his great ballet scores - launched his career when it was first performed in 1910 by Diaghilev’s Ballet Russes. The opening bars in his “L’Oiseau de feu” begin with low strings and a discordant wind section in the minor key - expressing a sense of unease. The wind and string section intensify the fact that something is in the air… with the percussions creating a dramatic flourish.

The opening scene is set with a large burning eclipse projected onto the curtains. Choreographer Loughlan Prior portrays a dystopian world as the dancers are revealed behind fluid drops of mesh curtaining. The dancers are dressed in Tracy Grant Lord’s earth-toned, rag-like costumes. They fight against strong winds in an attempt to get across the stage with dry ice and lightning effects intensifying the drama. Led by a powerful leader - The Burnt Mask - performed with strength and power by Brandon Reiners the timpani of the orchestra announces his arrival with loud bursts of foreboding. He consumes the remaining water and leaves a straggler behind. The scene is other-worldly and arid: a world in which they appear to be fighting for survival.

A solo dancer is left by the group alone on stage. This is Arrow - the hero - danced by the expressive and lithe Joshua Guilemot-Rodgerson.

POW studios dramatic visuals in the Firebird. Photographed Stephen A’Court

We are then treated to our first glimpse of the Firebird. She appears in a flicker of sparks and flames which are projected onto the stage by the expert projections team POW Studios. The central character appears in a fine gauze-like fabric over her dramatic red and gold costume and the flute and basinet sound to her spritely, darting and flowing movements. The Firebird is danced by the exquisite Ana Gallardo Lobaina. Laughlan Prior knew the extensions and dramatic flare that this beautiful dancer could give to the part when he choreographed The Firebird for her in 2021. I was privileged to see her perform this role four years ago - this was the role that assured her place within the Royal New Zealand Ballet and has led her to become one of the many outstanding Principals of the company. Four years later in this role, Gallardo Lobaina is even more powerful, vulnerable and radiant.

She dances The Firebird with charisma, showing her glorious, elegant long lines and artistry along with the vulnerability and strength of the character. She is sublime, one feels she is a living Firebird rather than a human dancer and the choreography, costume and her talent all culminate in a breathtaking performance.

Ana Gallardo Lobaina as the Firebird. Photograph by Stephen A’Court

Ana Gallardo Lobaina and Joshua Guillemot-Rodgerson as The Firebird and Arrow. Photograph by Stephen A’Court

Arrow and The Firebird perform their first pas de deux: she leads Arrow with her inquisitive, flight-like movements as he is initially scared of this majestic creature. They dance with breathtaking lifts, developés and a delightful exploration of bird and human. Ana shows her full talent with beautifully nuanced, bird-like movements right to her fingertips. Her extensions and turns glorify her mythical power. She is a delight to watch within the darkness of the scenery.

The Firebird gifts Arrow a feather which creates life-saving water. He is rescued by this symbolic entity. However, The Burnt Mask and his men see the Firebird and try to capture her but Arrow helps her escape their evil intentions.

Joshua Guillemot-Rodgerson and Kate Kadow as Arrow and Neve. Photograph by Stephen A’Court

Arrow returns to his people and lover Neve (performed with grace by beautiful Principal dancer Kate Kadow). Neve is another strong, positive female lead in this story. The people are suffering from the drought and are being terrorised by The Burnt Mask and his accomplice Elizaveta, who is performed with artistic brilliance and flair, by the exceptional Kirby Selchow.

Arrow shows the people his gift of water from the Firebird. The people rejoice and Neve and Arrow perform a pas de deux that is more human and loving with uplifting keys and violins, set amidst creative lighting water effects.

Their plight from drought has been laid aside for a moment while they reconnect in the relief of the moment. Prior’s choreography lends itself to the significance of the human situation and the need for happiness in the grim reality of their current fate. The movements are natural and the two characters are equals. Their survival and search for hope in this dystopian world has been answered…

Kirby Selchow performing the wicked Elizaveta. Photograph by Stephen A’Court

But behind them a storm is approaching. The POW team project dark clouds on the horizon and the clarinet sends its signal that all is not as it seems.

Brandon Reiners and Kirby Selchow as The Burnt Mask and Elizaveta. Photographed by Stephen A’Court

The Burnt Mask returns and Elizaveta dances with joy and allure around her leader. She is proud and wants to show her power now alongside the evil leader. Kirby has such talent for dramatic caricature dance: think Carmen and one of the evil step-sisters in Cinderella dressed in dystopian rags and give her the gift of power. Kirby is formidable in this role. A stand-out performance once again from this masterful dancer…

Ana Gallardo Lobaina’s Firebird power emerges with the assistance of the Inferno dancers. Photographed by Stephen A’Court

The drama in this story becomes more intense when the Firebird is captured and dragged on stage, being held at the end of two ropes. Prior’s choreography and Ana’s performance ability renders the scene palpable. She is a captured animal and the physicality and reality of her demise is portrayed with expression and verve. But as the scene unfolds: on one side of the stage with Arrow being attacked in slow motion by The Burnt Mask and on the other with the Firebird being helped by Neve, Ana’s character emerges in a whole new light. She is transformed by The Inferno - a group of four dancers who bring her fury, strength and power to a new level. Their arms extend to form gigantic wings and the power shifts in this moment.

This production highlights the ecological concerns of global warming and the struggle of power within humanity. Laughlan Prior’s comment on these issues is provocative and brilliant. His re-interpretation of the story unfolds with dramatic and palpable choreography and sublime dancing. There is despair and joy, violence and compassion, vulnerability and strength. The other-worldliness of the staging set alongside the powerful original score will transport you in so many ways.

Even now, when I think about that final scene: The Firebird thrown into the air by the company of dancers accompanied by a flash of light, the clash of cymbals and the reality of her sacrifice - the intensity of the scene brings tears to my eyes…

It is a scene so poignant, so powerful and so poetic that it will remain with you for years. I encourage you to see this production. I have seen it twice in two nights and would see it again in a heart-beat!