Live Cinema Season

Don Quixote

Recorded | Ballet

Running time: tbc

Don Quixote

Love and friendship triumph in Carlos Acosta's vibrant production of this dazzling ballet.

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The story

Don Quixote and his servant Sancho Panza set out to have a chivalrous adventure. They meet Kitri and Basilio, a young couple who cannot marry because Kitri's father is determined to marry her off to the wealthy Gamache. Don Quixote decides to intervene.

With Don Quixote's help, Kitri and Basilio convince her father to let them marry. Don Quixote also persuades Gamache that he would prefer to marry the barmaid anyway. Kitri and Basilio celebrate, and everyone cheers Don Quixote on his way.

Background

Don Quixote is one of Marius Petipa's much-loved 19th-century classics - its story is drawn from Miguel de Cervantes's classic novel and set to Ludwig Minkus's score. The ballet has long been acclaimed for its virtuoso dancing, beautiful and technically demanding 'vision scene' and the famously bravura and breath-taking Act III pas de deux.

Carlos Acosta's production was created for The Royal Ballet in 2013, and brings the sunshine of Spain and the exuberance of the entire Company to the stage. Acosta created new choreography for the gypsy scene in Act II, and uniquely for this production of Don Quixote added on-stage musicians. Warmth, charm and entertainment abound in this energetic and witty ballet, reflected too in the characterful backdrops of Tim Hatley's vibrant designs.

Credits

Choreography

Carlos Acosta after Marius Petipa

Production

Carlos Acosta

Original music

Ludwig Minkus

Arrangement and orchestration

Martin Yates

Designer

Tim Hatley

Lighting designer

Hugh Vanstone

Performers

Conductor
Martin Yates
Don Quixote
Christopher Saunders
Sancho Panza
Philip Mosley
Lorenzo
Gary Avis
Kitri
Akane Takada
Basilio
Alexander Campbell
Gamache
Thomas Whitehead
Espada
Valentino Zucchetti
Mercedes
Mayara Magri
Kitri's Friends
Matador Dancers
Gypsy Dancers
The Queen of the Dryads
Fumi Kaneko
Amour
Anna Rose O'Sullivan
Dulcinea
Lara Turk
Fandango Dancers
Townspeople
Artists of The Royal Ballet
Matadors
Artists of The Royal Ballet
Gypsies
Artists of The Royal Ballet
Dryads
Artists of The Royal Ballet
Concert Master
Sergey Levitin
Orchestra
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House

Cast sheets

Cast sheets are available as PDFs

News and features

To find out more visit the Don Quixote production page.