La Fille Mal Gardee
Ever since its triumphant premiere in 1960, Frederick
Ashton’s La fille mal gardée has been treasured as one of his
happiest creations his artistic tribute to nature, and an
expression of his feelings for his beloved Suffolk countryside.
Marianela Nuñez and Carlos Acosta perfectly portray the
young lovers Lise and Colas, determined to thwart the plans
of Widow Simone to marry off her wayward daughter to
Alain, the simple son of wealthy Farmer Thomas. Osbert
Lancaster’s colourful, picture-book designs, along with
Ferdinand Hérold’s tuneful score, arranged by John
Lanchbery, provide the perfect setting for Ashton’s blissfully
bucolic ballet, complete with haywain, pony, maypole and
ribbons, a cockrel and his chickens and, of course, the famous
clog dance, here wonderfully led by William Tuckett as the
irascible but lovable Widow Simone.
