Russian Hamlet

Last year, the Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg dazzled the Denver dance community with its original production of Red Giselle. This weekend, the company returns with another new work—Russian Hamlet—by its founder and artistic director Boris Eifman.

If you've never seen this company perform and you are an admirer of ballet and modern dance, you're missing one of the most innovative and thrilling dance ensembles in the world. The company mixes flawless classical training with imaginative and athletic modern dance, superb acting, and breathtaking scenic and lighting design to achieve absolutely stunning results.

Russian Hamlet, the story of Catherine the Great's son, Paul, is set to recorded music by Beethoven and Mahler. Imagine, if you will, the legendary Empress making her entrance into the grand gilded throne room to the Eroica (originally written for Napoleon) with a shimmering twenty yard train, held by half the court, that turns from gold to red as the mood darkens, or Paul and his newlywed Princess's dance of love to the Moonlight Sonata.

The astounding acrobatics and physicality of the troupe is accomplished without disturbing the classical feel and continuity of the choreography, and resonates sexuality at every encounter. Human pyramids, entwined bodies, and the daring use of props such as poles and chairs add to our astonishment at the revolutionary style that Eifman has conjured.

The company is so talent rich and the work so demanding that the principal roles are rotated through three sets of dancers, all of whom are comparably gifted.

Remaining performances of Russian Hamlet are Saturday at 2:00 and 8:00 p.m., and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at the Auditorium Theatre. Tickets may be purchased by calling 303-830-TIXS, online at www.ticketmaster.com, or at the box office at 14th and Curtis. Treat yourself—you've never seen anything like it!