You don't need a pink tutu and some Bach in the background to put on a ballet. "Les Ballet Africains," filled with authentic African music, dance and costumes, offers much more.
The national dance company from New Guinea is coming to Shea's Wednesday night, March 15, at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices for students are $15.
"The nonstop vigor of this year's performance, 'Special Jubilee' grows so intense, that the audience can't help but get involved," said Vince Paul, the publicist for "Les Ballet Africains."
"By the end of the show, 100 to 200 people end up onstage dancing," Paul said. "It looks chaotic, and it sometimes gets out of control, but it's perfectly safe."
The energy of the show lies in the cultural clothing and the arc of historical events in New Guinea. The costumes were designed to reflect the subject matter, which concentrates not only on African history, but also on the swell of emotion that coincides with their past.
"The costumes are different than the typical ballet with a tutu," Paul said. "Their indigenous wardrobe has been worn by natives for centuries."
However, the necessity to evolve to a more Western appearance for American acceptance has affected the wardrobe. Meant to deliberately reflect what is going on at that particular moment in the ballet, the costumes range from garbs with floral patterns worn by the women and long robes called boo boo's worn by the men, to modern western sweat suits.
Their wardrobe is not the only aspect of the show that has been affected by western civilization. The addition of modern-day technology such as lighting and sound systems has put the show into a format to which Americans can relate.
The use of lighting and sound systems is only a slight addition to a show that invigorates the audience enough to get them dancing onstage. There are moments of intense drama associated with the conflicts that have affected the people of New Guinea. The ballet concerns the French occupation of Western Africa and has a personal love story woven into the storyline. The drama is often upstaged by suspense and comedy from the acrobats.
"The acrobats are constantly trying to one-up each other with a better act," Paul said. "It can be pretty funny."
On top of the nonstop demonstration of acrobatics, comedy and dramatic spectacles, "Les Ballet Africains" offers an educational insight into African culture.
"Les Ballet Africains" have performed all over the world for over 50 years. Currently, World Music Productions organizes their world tour under the guidance of Dr. Saidou Dioubate, the national cultural director of New Guinea.
The distinguished Guinean Choreographer Keita Fodeba formed the 35-member ballet group in 1952. They work under the skilled guidance of Director General Italo Zambo and Choreographer/Technical Director Hamidou Bangoura.
The first extensive world tour covered about 40 cities in the early '90s, when many Americans fell in love with African ballet. "Les Ballet Africains" is constantly on tour, sometimes for two years at a time.
"'Les Ballet Africains' is a different genre of ballet, with a little more history than others," Paul said.
Tickets are available through Ticketmaster or online at www.sheas.org. Ask for a J-Type Ticket for the student discount.
