Lanchbery: Tales of Beatrix Potter

"…wonderful woodland scenes are played out by dancers in fantastic costumes and masks. … recreating the magic of these books and bringing favourite characters to life is every child’s fantasy. … Peter Rabbit’s beautiful and magical garden of dreams will transport every adult straight back to their childhood." -- The Stage

Created by Frederick Ashton for a film in 1971, Tales of Beatrix Potter brings alive, with rich characterisation and invention, the famous images and stories of Beatrix Potter. John Lanchbery’s music (incorporating mostly forgotten Victorian melodies) is utterly captivating, inspiring spirited playing from the Royal Ballet Sinfonia conducted by Paul Murphy. Christine Edzard's designs conjure up a lost England of field mice and Berkshire black pigs, of foxgloves and shady groves. Swept up in the ballet’s childlike exuberance, the entire cast delivers outstanding portrayals of such colourful figures as Jemima Puddle-Duck, Jeremy Fisher, Mrs Tiggy-Winkle and the irrepressible Peter Rabbit. Ashton's warm and witty, yet demanding, choreography creates a piece of charm and grace for all ages.

Mrs Tittlemouse: Victoria Hewitt
Johnny Town-Mouse: Ricardo Cervera
Mrs Tiggy-Winkle: Jonathan Howells
Jemima Puddle-Duck: Gemma Sykes
The Fox: Gary Avis
Pigling Bland: Bennet Gartside
Pig-Wig: Laura Morera
Aunt Pettitoes: David Pickering
Mr Jeremy Fisher: Zachary Faruque
Tom Thumb: Giacomo Ciriaci
Hunca Munca: Iohna Loots
Peter Rabbit: Joshua Tuifua
Squirrel Nutkin: Steven McRae

The Royal Ballet
Royal Ballet Sinfonia
Choreographer: Frederick Ashton
Conductor: Paul Murphy

Recorded live at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London on 23rd & 27th December 2007.

Plus: Illustrated synopsis.

REGIONS: All
PICTURE FORMAT: 16:9
SOUND: 2.0 LPCM STEREO / 5.1 DTS SURROUND
SUBTITLES: English, French, German, Spanish, Italian