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DAVID HALLBERG |
The madness at Shinjuku station, like Times Square, but with 200,000 more people.
All I really want is David Sedaris’ new book… in English.
U-port theatre, its a ‘thing’ of mine to take a photo of every theatre I perform in.
And once again, like last time, those amazing individually wrapped roses!!
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DAVID HALLBERG |
I have not been the most avid poster. I must apologize.
This past visit to Japan has been quite a handful. And I’m still in the midst of it.
After a very long ABT season, which concluded in my debut in Etudes (quite the challenge) I was feeling apprehensive about making my return to Tokyo for for yet another premire. But I have found my second wind. And I’m having a blast.
Here in Tokyo, I am going to debut Johan Kobborg’s production of La Sylphide. He has already mounted this first at the Royal Ballet and then at the Bolshoi in Moscow. It is very exciting, not only to be dancing James, which is quite a challenging role, but to be working with Johan on this role he has danced for over 15 years. Working with someone with that amount of expertise serves as such an inspiration to a dancer that had never performed James. His comments on the role, not only technically but more importantly, characteristically, are something to munch on. I feel now, as the debut inches closer that I would need about two more weeks of work to feel as though I have the character. I only have 3 days.
I must say that I am very happy to be here, soaking all of this in. It is experiences like this that make me feel as though I am in the presence of great artists such as Johan.
Following are some videos off Youtube that have served as an inspiration for my preparations into the role. The first is the great Erik Bruhn and the second is the Kobborg staging that he did for Bolshoi. Enjoy!
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DAVID HALLBERG |
I am making my debut in Etudes tomorrow in Orange County, as the turning boy.
Here are some shots I took of the company in the wings in Korea in the same ballet.
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DAVID HALLBERG |
On our second leg of the Japan tour, we did a one performance show in Otsu.
Walking to my dressing room, I noticed this poster which adorned the wall. Madame Pina Bausch signed this poster of her famous Cafe Muller for the presenters in Biwako.
See an excerpt of Cafe Muller below…
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DAVID HALLBERG |
Two random shots…
The theatre in Tokyo, called Bunka Kaikan. We never figured out why the seats are different colors. Art? or Random placement?
Passed out or texting on on the subway, a Japanese past time.
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DAVID HALLBERG |
I love when a museum seemlessly connects art with an amazing building to house it in. This was never more present than the Horyuji Gallery at the Tokyo National Museum, which is a stones throw from the theatre in Ueno Park, where we perform.
The artictect, Yoshio Taniguchi, just completed the $858 million MOMA renovation in NYC.
Forgive this post for being a little too pic happy but…
To enter the building you walk on a concrete slab over shallow pool of water
A 7th century ceiling fixture hanging from a wrapped staircase. A little like…
Matisse’s La Danse at MOMA, which received a lot of criticism to the museum for placing such an iconic work in a back staircase.
The museum houses 7th and 8th century Buddhist artifacts from Nara, which is a city outside Tokyo. Here are masks people wore for special ceremonies… Almost like the movie, Return to OZ… anyone?
I can’t think of a better place to wait.
Delicious/tag/wingmark
