The London Festival
Ballet in La Sylphide Choreographer
PETER SCHAUFUSS after August Bournonville
Music : HERMAN LOVENSKJOLD
JOHN DRUMMOND introduces the opening production in BBC2's Dance Month 1980, which comes direct from the stage of the London Coliseum. Peter Schaufuss 's brilliant re-creation of the full-length romantic ballet won him the Evening Standard Ballet Award for 1979.
Set in the glens of Scotland, the ballet tells the story of James, a young farmer, who loses his heart to a sylph and for her sake deserts his human bride-to-be on the eve of their wedding. The evil witch, Madge, traps James and his sylph with a magic scarf - and, for once, evil triumphs!
Designer DAVID WALKER Lighting JOHN B. READ ORCHESTRA OF LONDON
FESTIVAL BALLET conducted by TERENCE KERN
Television lighting JOHN MASON Television sound GRAHAM HAINES
Vision mixer GRAHAM GILES Director DEREK BAILEY t