Woolf Works
The powerful score is saturated with emotion just like the choreography, which seems to grow organically out of the mist of Woolf’s memories.
Woolf Works
Part of our Culture Vulture series. For more screenings and information, visit: www.laemmle.com/culturevulture.
The first revival of Wayne McGregor’s critically acclaimed ballet triptych to music by Max Richter, inspired by the works of Virginia Woolf.
Three movements are each inspired by one of Woolf’s novels – ‘I now, I then’ from Mrs. Dalloway, ‘Becomings’ from Orlando and ‘Tuesday’ from The Waves – mingled with influences from her life and work.
‘Life is not a series of gig-lamps symmetrically arranged; life is a luminous halo, a semi-transparent envelope surrounding us from the beginning of consciousness to the end… the proper stuff of fiction is a little other than custom would have us believe it.’ – Virginia Woolf, Modern Fiction
Wayne McGregor’s ballet triptych Woolf Works, inspired by the writings of Virginia Woolf, met with outstanding critical acclaim on its premiere in 2015, and went on to win McGregor the Critics’ Circle Award for Best Classical Choreography and the Olivier Award for Best New Dance Production. The Observer described it as ‘a compellingly moving experience’; for The Independent it ‘glows with ambition… a brave, thoughtful work’; The Guardian concluded that ‘it takes both McGregor – and the concept of the three-act ballet – to a brave and entirely exhilarating new place’.
Each of the three acts springs from one of Woolf’s landmark novels: Mrs. Dalloway, Orlando and The Waves – but these inspirations are also enmeshed with elements from her letters, essays and diaries. Woolf Works expresses the heart of an artistic life driven to discover a freer, uniquely modern realism, and brings to life Woolf’s world of ‘granite and rainbow’, where human beings are at once both physical body and uncontained essence. Woolf Works was McGregor’s first full-length work for The Royal Ballet, and saw him reunited with regular collaborator Max Richter, who provides a commissioned score incorporating electronic and orchestral music.
Three movements are each inspired by one of Woolf’s novels – ‘I now, I then’ from Mrs. Dalloway, ‘Becomings’ from Orlando and ‘Tuesday’ from The Waves – mingled with influences from her life and work.
‘Life is not a series of gig-lamps symmetrically arranged; life is a luminous halo, a semi-transparent envelope surrounding us from the beginning of consciousness to the end… the proper stuff of fiction is a little other than custom would have us believe it.’ – Virginia Woolf, Modern Fiction
Wayne McGregor’s ballet triptych Woolf Works, inspired by the writings of Virginia Woolf, met with outstanding critical acclaim on its premiere in 2015, and went on to win McGregor the Critics’ Circle Award for Best Classical Choreography and the Olivier Award for Best New Dance Production. The Observer described it as ‘a compellingly moving experience’; for The Independent it ‘glows with ambition… a brave, thoughtful work’; The Guardian concluded that ‘it takes both McGregor – and the concept of the three-act ballet – to a brave and entirely exhilarating new place’.
Each of the three acts springs from one of Woolf’s landmark novels: Mrs. Dalloway, Orlando and The Waves – but these inspirations are also enmeshed with elements from her letters, essays and diaries. Woolf Works expresses the heart of an artistic life driven to discover a freer, uniquely modern realism, and brings to life Woolf’s world of ‘granite and rainbow’, where human beings are at once both physical body and uncontained essence. Woolf Works was McGregor’s first full-length work for The Royal Ballet, and saw him reunited with regular collaborator Max Richter, who provides a commissioned score incorporating electronic and orchestral music.
Genre
Ballet,
Culture Vulture,
Dance
Web Site
Runtime
165
Language
English
Director
Koen Kessels ~ Conductor
Cast
Alessandra Ferri,
Natalia Osipova
FEATURED REVIEW
Zoë Anderson, Independent (U.K.)
At its creation in 2015, Woolf Works felt like a breakthrough for choreographer Wayne McGregor, adding a new emotional weight to his athletic force and fascination with technology. In this first revival, it’s even stronger, with Alessandra Ferri luminous as the Virginia Woolf figure. Created in ...
Played at
Town Center 5 3.13.17 - 3.14.17
Monica Film Center 3.13.17 - 3.14.17
Claremont 5 3.13.17 - 3.14.17
Playhouse 7 3.13.17 - 3.14.17
Fine Arts Theatre 3.13.17 - 3.14.17
Woolf Works Get Tickets
There are currently no showtimes for this film. Please check back soon.