Riot at the Rite
2005In the spring of 1913, Parisian businessman Gabriel Astruc opens a new theater on the Champs Elysées. The first performance is the premiere of Igor Stravinsky's 'The Rite of Spring', danced by the Ballet Russes. The rehearsal process is extremely fraught: the orchestra dislike Stravinsky's harsh, atonal music; the dancers dislike the 'ugly' choreography of Vaslav Nijinsky. The volatile, bisexual Nijinsky is in a strained relationship with the much older Sergei Diaghilev, the Ballet Russes' charismatic but manipulative impresario. Public expectation is extremely high after Nijinsky's success in 'L'apres-midi d'un faune'. Finally, 'The Rite of Spring' premieres to a gossip-loving, febrile, fashion-conscious Parisian audience sharply divided as to its merits.
Acted in
Adam Garcia
as Vaslav Nijinsky
Alex Jennings
as Sergei Diaghilev
Emma Pierson
as Romola
Griff Rhys Jones
as Astruc
Jonathan Aris
as Jean Cocteau
Christian McKay
as Pierre Monteux
Richard Hope
as Grigoriev
Philip Herbert
as Antoine
André Schneider
as Ivory
Naomi Wattis
as Lydia
Peter Copley
as Patron
Sara Dee
as Lady Hysteria
Steve Pemberton
as Critic
Philip Battley
as Bassoonist
Rachael Stirling
as Marie Rambert
Aidan McArdle
as Igor Stravinsky
Zenaida Yanowsky
as Ballerina