Easter weekend is almost upon us, and of course what does that mean? Bunnies! And one bunny in particular, Peter Rabbit. While there is a recent Peter Rabbit movie, one of my favourite tellings is not a movie or book but rather a ballet. Sir Frederick Ashton drew on Beatrix Potter’s works to choreograph a 1971 live-action telling of five of her tales, and the 1992 stage adaptation is one of my favourite story ballets. (More on that later…) If you are looking for something to watch with the family this weekend (or by yourself), I present the perfect Easter ballet: The Tales of Beatrix Potter!
This post does include a referral code (it will be marked).
The Tales of Beatrix Potter (2007) (Synopsis from Marquee TV)
Created by Frederick Ashton for a film in 1971, and brought to the stage in a production by Anthony Dowell in 1992, Tales of Beatrix Potter brings alive, with rich characterization 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 colorful figures as Jemima Puddle-Duck, Mr Jeremy Fisher, Mrs Tiggy-Winkle and the irrepressible Peter Rabbit. Frederick Ashton’s warm and witty, yet demanding, choreography creates a piece of charm and grace for all ages.
An Easter Ballet?
I will be upfront: this ballet does not explicitly mention Easter. However, for a lot of us, Easter and Peter Rabbit are linked very closely. The Peter Rabbit stories are a beloved part of childhood for so many of us, and seeing it as a ballet is an interesting take that a lot of people have never seen. (Aside from seeing a dancing squirrel GIF on Twitter…) This is a family-friendly ballet that breathes new life into a beloved classic, and it deserves to be an Easter tradition!
The Tales of Beatrix Potter: Perfect for All Ages
Despite critics* being very harsh on this ballet, I love it for a few different reasons. Firstly, it isn’t one long story ballet, but rather five smaller stories. Even if kids don’t recognise the tales, they are easy to follow and each is rather short. I know that a lot of children struggle with shorter attention spans, but couple these shorter pieces with the ability to pause it, and you can make the viewing work for your family!
Secondly, the technique is incredible here. I love this ballet for adults because although it might not seem like it right away, there is an immense amount of skill required to dance these parts and then add in character work, all while weraing a very large animal costume. Jemima Puddle-Duck is my favourite section because of the absolutely perfect choreography- the stylised walk, a fowl arabesque. You can see why the Royal Ballet is one of the most celebrated companies on the planet.
And thirdly, the costumes and sets are also fantastic. The Royal Opera House features an area beside the stage that is actually slightly larger than the stage to move large and complex set pieces in and out; ballets like The Tales of Beatrix Potter benefit hugely from it. I don’t know that I’ve enjoyed a ballet’s sets more than this one. The give the ultimate Beatrix Potter vibes! (They are also some of the largest interactive sets that I’ve seen for a ballet.) A massive round of applause for the costume, set, and lighting designers!
*In 2010, critics noted that the ballet felt Victorian, but Potter’s stories very much were/are Victorian. The new Peter Rabbit film was quite “meh” for me because it felt too modern.
Beatrix Potter on Marquee TV
If you don’t own this ballet on DVD, you can stream it through Marquee TV. I’ve chatted about it several times on the blog (you can find my review here)- it is an online streaming service for all things performing arts and culture. If you aren’t already signed up for the service, you can do a 7 day free trial, perfect for the Easter weekend!
If you are interested in trying out Marquee TV, I’ve included my referral code below. I don’t receive any money if you use the code below. You will receive 30% off your subscription and I will receive a free month of streaming. (Any Marquee subscriber can share a referral code- I have not been asked to do this by Marquee.)
Referral Code: https://refer.marquee.tv/WIoTZZ6Wuf
Will you be watching the perfect Easter ballet: The Tales of Beatrix Potter?
Cheers,
The Historian
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