"Radio and Juliet" set to the music of Radiohead01:34PM / Monday, June 15, 2009
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BECKET, Mass. – After garnering international acclaim, Ballet Maribor’s Radio and Juliet makes its way to the United States for a six-performance run at Jacob’s Pillow, July 1 – 5. Choreographer Edward Clug’s contemporary ballet draws its inspiration from Shakespeare’s tragic love story and is set to the music of Radiohead, one of today’s most influential alternative rock groups.
Romanian-born Clug has received awards for his choreography at ballet festivals worldwide, and his examination of one of ballet’s timeless tales continues to mesmerize both audiences and critics alike. When the work was seen in its only other U.S. performances to date this past fall, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote, “Clug's ballet was white hot in a way that Shakespeare could never have imagined.”
“This is a beautifully conceived production performed by sleek and gorgeous dancers,” comments Ella Baff, Jacob’s Pillow Executive Director. “Edward Clug updates Shakespeare's story while remaining faithful to what makes Romeo and Juliet a classic - conflict, drama and romance. And a complex and intriguing score by Radiohead is the icing on the cake. “
Radio and Juliet, a work for six male dancers and one “Juliet,” investigates and reworks the tale of Romeo and Juliet. Juliet’s delicate interactions with the men, who are emblematic of the idea of pure masculinity, are starkly contrasted with their robust and athletic bursts of virtuosity, exhibited most clearly when they are fighting and falling for the poised Juliet. Fusing sharp, imaginative, and highly technical movement with popular music, Clug creates an atmosphere that is at once urgent and reflective, contemporary in style but also classic in technique. Edward Clug performs in Radio and Juliet alongside Tijuana Krizman, Matjaz Marin, Sergiu Moga, Gaj Zmavc, Tiberiu Marta, and Eugen Dobrescu, all soloists of Ballet Maribor, the national ballet of Slovenia.
Clug’s decision to pair Radiohead with Shakespeare was the result of his identifying with the emotional power of the band’s dynamic compositions. Video effects add ambiance and help with abstract references to the original story. Clug will speak more about this work in a free hour-long PillowTalk on Saturday, July 4 at 4pm.
Rolling Stone Magazine describes Radiohead’s sound as “moody, melodic and explosive, with roots planted firmly in both alternative culture and the art-rock legacy.” Since the release of their debut album Pablo Honey in 1993, the band has recorded a total of seven albums and sold more than 25 million records. They are three-time recipients of the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album, honored more recently for the album In Rainbows. The Radio and Juliet score includes “Bullet Proof I Wish I Was,” “Fitter Happier,” “How to Disappear,” and “Idioteque,” among others.
Edward Clug was born in Romania in 1973 and began studying classical ballet at age 10 at the National Ballet School in Cluj, Romania. In 1991, he became a soloist for Slovenian National Theatre, a company of drama, opera, and ballet ensembles in Maribor, Slovenia. There he danced in productions of Don Quixote, Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet, and Carmen, and in 2003 was appointed head of the Ballet Maribor. Clug has received recognition for his work since 1996 when he served as choreographer for the Theatre Maribor’s production of Babylon, directed by Tomas Pandur.
He has won awards at international dance festivals such as the National Ballet Competition in Ljubljana, Slovenia; the International Ballet Competition in Nagoya, Japan; the International Ballet Competition in Moscow; and Germany’s International Choreographers Competition. In 2005, Clug was awarded the “Preseren Fund,” Slovenia’s prestigious acknowledgment of cultural achievement. He and his company have toured Slovenia and abroad, traveling to festivals and venues in countries such as Croatia, Austria, France, Italy, Israel, and Greece.
For more information visit www.jacobspillow.org.
Performance and Ticket Information
Wednesday, July 1 through Saturday, July 4, 8pm.
Saturday, July 4 and Sunday, July 5, 2pm.
· Free Pre-Show Talks with Jacob’s Pillow Scholars-in-Residence are offered at Blake’s Barn 30 minutes before every performance.
· Thursday, July 2, Ballet Maribor performers or artistic personnel will participate in a moderated Post-Show Talk, on stage immediately following the performance.
· Tickets are $58 each, with discounts available for subscribers, seniors, students, and children age 16 and under.
· Box Office hours: Monday through Saturday, 10am – 6pm, and Sunday 11am – 6pm.
· To purchase by phone, call the Box Office at 413.243.0745. To order online: www.jacobspillow.org.
· Pillow Members receive exclusive benefits. To become a Member call 413.243.9919 x24.
Jacob’s Pillow is located at 358 George Carter Road in Becket, MA, 01223 (10 minutes east on Route 20 from Mass Pike Exit 2). The Jacob’s Pillow campus and theaters are handicapped-accessible. |
