Stravinsky: Petrushka, Scene I - The Shrovetide Fair

Continuing the study of Petrouchka (Petrushka)

Tutu of the Week (uhmm-sorta) Petrouchka

Here is one of our favorite builds- Petrouchka



Based on the original sketch by Alexander Benois, and a Ballet Russe costume located the National Museum of Australia, our sad little clown  wears the classic costume made of patchwork satin pants in red and green (pink and yellow version also available), ruffled neck shirt with ribbon trim and pink scalloped cuffs, striped belt and necktie, and tasseled hat.  Longing for his beautiful Ballerina Doll, (who is seduced by the exoticism of the Moor), and abused by the Charlatan, this classic tale of a love triangle and revenge unfolds  at a Russian Fair.Available exclusively for sale or rent at xvmonarose.com.

Tutu of the Week: Ballerina Doll from Petrouchka

This is one of our most popular pieces to build or rent out to ballet companies. Based upon the original sketch by Alexander Benois, it consists of an orange velvet bodice and hat trimmed with gold, a rose satin skirt with blue ribbon, and striped pantelettes with ribbon trim. Available exclusively at xvmonarose.com.

   PETROUCHKA

Story by Igor Stravinsky and Alexandre Benois
Choreography by Michel Fokine
Staged by Gary Chryst
Music by Igor Stravinsky
Scenery and costumes by Alexandre Benois
Lighting by Natasha Katz
Timing: 38:00





Scene One: Admiralty Square, St. Petersburg, in 1830, during the mid-winter Butter Week Fair – the Russian equivalent of Mardi Gras –an excess of celebration in anticipation of the stringent fasting of the Orthodox Lent. Suddenly, two drummers appear from the mysterious curtained booth at the back and clear an area in front of the booth. An old Charlatan then emerges from the booth. He bows to the crowd and, magically producing a little lute from his sleeve, plays a strange melody, then strides to the curtained booth. As he raises his hand, the curtains fly back to reveal the dolls: the Moor, the Ballerina and Petrouchka. At a sign from the Charlatan, the dolls commence a quick, jerky dance and soon dance out of their compartments into the snowy Square. The crowd is delighted and applauds enthusiastically. Then, as suddenly as they began their dance, the three dolls collapse to the ground.

Scene Two: The compartment where the Charlatan keeps Petrouchka – a black box dominated by a portrait of the Charlatan. Humiliated by the Charlatan’s cruel treatment and yearning to express the love he feels for the Ballerina, Petrouchka tries in vain to find some escape from his black cell. He forlornly plucks at the tatters of his motley costume. The Ballerina then enters, but Petrouchka’s declarations of love repel and frighten her and she leaves abruptly. Overwhelmed by despair and enraged by the portrait of the Charlatan from whose presence and power he has no escape, Petrouchka tears savagely at the walls of his cell. He breaks through the wall and collapses in despair.

Scene Three: The Moor’s cell, brightly decorated and comfortably furnished. The Moor is lying lazily on a divan, playing with a coconut. He becomes convinced he hears something inside the coconut, and when he is unable to break it open with the scimitar, he prostrates himself in front of this now sacred object. He is interrupted in his devotions by the entrance of the Ballerina who dances with a tiny trumpet to attract his attention. Soon he abandons his fetish to dance with her and finally pulls her into his lap. At this moment Petrouchka bursts into the room. The lovers spring apart and the Ballerina retreats into a corner, the Moor pursues the horrified Petrouchka, seizes him, and ejects him with a brutal kick. Triumphant, the Moor returns again to embrace the Ballerina.

Scene Four: Meanwhile, in the Square, the crowd pursues its restless quest for pleasure. It is dusk now, the sky is heavy with snow, and constant movement is the best way to ward off the cold. First the Nursemaids dance; later, as snow begins to fall, the Coachmen begin a vigorous dance. Everyone eventually joins in, and then a group of masked revelers burst upon the scene. The sky grows darker, the frenzied revels increase, snow thickens. Suddenly, a great commotion is heard from the Charlatan’s booth. Out bursts Petrouchka, pursued by the Moor and the horrified Ballerina. The Moor strikes Petrouchka with his scimitar, then flees with the Ballerina as the crowd presses close. Trembling, Petrouchka tries to rise, then falls back limp and inert. A policeman rushes off and returns with the Charlatan who calmly shows the crowd that the “corpse” is merely a doll, just sawdust and rags. The crowd, relieved, departs and the Charlatan walks slowly towards his booth, dragging the broken doll behind him. Suddenly, above the booth, Petrouchka appears. As the Charlatan looks up, Petrouchka gestures in defiance. The Charlatan drops the doll and flees in terror.


Petrouchka was given its World Premiere by Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes at the Théâtre du Chatelet on June 13, 1911, danced by Tamara Karsavina (Ballerina), Vaslav Nijinsky (Petrouchka), Alexandre Orlov (Moor) and Enrico Cecchetti (Charlatan). Petrouchka received its United States premiere by the same company at the Century Theatre, New York on January 25, 1916, danced by Leonid Massine (Petrouchka), Lydia Lopoukhova (Ballerina) and Adolph Bolm (Moor).

gendance - Mona Rose - The Tutu Goddess

gendance - Mona Rose - The Tutu Goddess

2010- ALREADY?

Well, the inevitable has happened. Just when I thought I could focus and finish up one project, a slew if 2010 projects have reared up their enticing, intriguing little heads to distract me and make my heart race and beat erratically.
Up first, a steam punk fashion Show in collaboration with Joseph Carroll Photography for spring, for an unnamed charity (we are taking submissions, so please submit your fav's). My staff is super excited by this one, as it comes close on the heals of the Dickens festival Steampunk push they have in Feb 2010.  Lots of ideas, will schedule a time line after this week.

Project Deux- Alice in Wonderland-  While this project has been rumbling around the workroom for the last 6 months, the final semi- confirmation has come through.  Previously a possible ballet, it now may be reincarnated by an entirely different production company as a musical.

Project Trois-The Lion King  This is a HUGE build for us, and will take place over the next 2 years, with
act1 scene1 avaible in June 2010. Lots of  fun, and creativity, based on the broadway musical.  We will produce  approxamately 2 costumes a month  for the next 2 years, until the show is completed

Secret Diary of a Ntcracker Ballet Costumer

Today we made the great trek up the big hill to a new trade show. To attend trade events is one of the BIG factors that separates our work from the dreaded"mommy mill" costumes.  My assistants were trade show virgins and had never been to an event like this. While I have attended MANY, MANY, MANY international textile events in the past this was a new venue.  We arrived and  it was slightly drizzling outside, and when we parked the car ($12 later), I was immeadiatley disheartened to see attendees exciting the Hall. It was only 10:30, and the event had been opened for only and hour and a half, and yet, people were leaving the hall.  This was an immeadiate bad omen for me.

  After searching for 20 minutes for the entrance to the hall,  I entered a rather small venue with under 100 vendors. Many were from overseas, and had higher end, couture type fabrics ( $200 per yard wholesale). Of my existing vendors, and after being in the trade for decades the list is quite comprhensive, I found only a hand full of my regular suppliers were exhibitors.  Many times i have used couture fabrics for Company peices, but on our list for today were midrange  products, and they were scarcely represented at the show. Actually, there was not much at the show at all, other than sublim contrators (had amazing conversations with them and their products were great).

The show was billed as full  spectrum, indicating that it would feature service/prodcuts for the full spectrum of manufacturing., cutting, sewing, design, etc., I was dissapointed to find, no CAD, no machines,  or contractors.  I wondered if this is the new show, where are all of my vendors?  I think I liked the old show better.  I did find some great peices to order, but overall left, feeling sad. I realize that the economy is down and ususally there are normally no new  product debuts duriing  slow periods.  R&D is done when the $$ i flowing, and the show represented that quite well.

The good news- We were able to source for Icicle costumes, a rebuild  for this season, and the rat tutus. And I did order the patent leather lycra I needed for a project.  But will i attend again?  Idk... but this was a local show, and a better choice for me than Vegas.  I dread the shows in Vegas, I really just don't get the hype about the town, it seems really over rated to me..

My Assistants had fun, we all learned alot about sublim services, and were happy with our orders. the goods will arrive next week, and we will start the rebuild on at least 2 costume groups.

Nutcracker 2009 week 1

Well, Its that time again...
Nutcracker cast lists are posted across the US and craziness has set in at ballet company costume workshops around the world. Actually, this year we are in really good shape. We have already fit half the cast in their pieces thanks to my amazing staff who are on the ball as usual.
There will be some new builds this year, a new set of rat tutus, and an old group of baby mice has resurfaced from an old build from about ten years ago. And they look in really good shape considering their age and the amount of use/abuse they have sustained in the past decade. Its hard to believe that the people who worn them when they were first built have graduated high school and are now in COLLEGE!!!! Again, i can not stress that building costumes to full theatrical/ ballet company standards is so worth it!! The life line is incredible.

This years build will include new Candy's, which i have no idea on design yet. It took me about eight hours of research just to come up with the designs for a new Harlequin boy doll, so designs for 3 sets for Candy's is a bit intimidating. Silly to feel over whelmed by a group of costumes for 6 year olds, but there are so many AWFUL designs out there (and i use the term very loosely!! lol)
There is a group of candy canes, and then 2 other types of candy. I have no idea what kind yet, but i can promise all you , they will not be some hideiuos lycra flourescent CRAP!!!!!

Tuesday i head to LA fo a trade show, and hope to pickup some new vendors. I am looking for some INSPIRATION here, so don't let me down LA CONVENTION CENTER

But on too the most exciting news of ALLL!!!!! Madoka Ueno is producing her debut DVD and i am making the cover outfit!! so exciting to work with J-pop celebs and creat for such amazing artists!! i will post images when available and link up to sound bits for you too. Can't wait for the pv to shoot!!!