The Tales of Beatrix Potter (ballet)

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The Tales of Beatrix Potter is a 1992 ballet adapted for stage by Anthony Dowell from a 1971
film that was choreographed by Frederick Ashton that in turn was based on the children's
books by Beatrix Potter.

Contents

 1Plot
 2Adaptation for the stage
 3Score
 4Costumes
 5Reception
o 5.11992 production
o 5.2Subsequent productions
 61992 cast
 7See also
 8References

Plot[edit]
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Adaptation for the stage[edit]

It is reported that Ashton himself did not want his original 1971 film to be transferred to the
stage.[1] However, in 1992 Anthony Dowell did so by adapting the Tales of Beatrix
Potter.Dowell worked with the original film designer Christine Edzard and mask-
maker Rostislav Doboujinsky.[2] The Tales of Beatrix Potter premièred on stage at the Royal
Opera House, Covent Garden on 4 December 1992 in a double bill with Ashton's ballet The
Dream.[3][4]
Score[edit]
The composer was John Lanchbery,[5] he put together a score from tunes
by Minkus, Balfe, Offenbach, Sullivan and others.[6] Lanchbery not only composed the score
but also conducted the orchestra for the 1992 production.[7] Ashton's original film score had
been stored on transparencies which had suffered from damp and rodent damage, so they had
to be painstakingly pieced together for the stage adaptation.[8]

Costumes[edit]
One of the challenges faced by the dancers in the stage production is that the costumes mean
that many of the dancers have severely restricted view.[9] The masks created from the original
1971 film moulds[10] are made from polystyrene with holes drilled for breathing and vision are
covered in gauze and flocking or hand sewn hair.[11] Doboujinsky built some of the costumes on
everyday items such as cycle helmets.[12]

Reception[edit]
1992 production[edit]
The critics did not review the original 1992 production favourably, considering it to be too long,
lacking plot and missing Ashton's inspirational touch. Examples of reviews include: Jeffery
Taylor of the Mail on Sunday described the original 1992 production as "too long" but noted
that the audience enjoyed it as "smiles remained on 2,000 faces until the final ear-splitting
ovation."[13] Mary Clarke of The Guardian was less positive describing the ballet as "nauseating"
and finishing her review with the opinion that "Sir Fred would have been appalled."[14]
Subsequent productions[edit]
Susan Frater of the Evening Standard praised the Royal Ballet's 2007 revival as "charming"
with wonderful sets and costumes. But also criticised it as overly long and for children.[15]
Clement Crisp reviewed the 2010 performance for the Financial Times, he considered Potter's
characters "nauseating" the score "Victorian vulgar" and the costumes bloated. But he did
acknowledge that the audience liked it.[16]

1992 cast[edit]
 Mrs Tiggy-Winkle: Iain Webb[17]
 Fox: Christopher Saunders[18]
 Jemima Puddleduck: Sarah Walton[19]
 Pigling Bland: Peter Abegglen[20]
 Berkshire Black Pig: Belinda Hatley[21]
 Two bad mice (Tom Thumb and Hunca Munca): Jonathan Howells and Nicola Roberts[22]
 Johnny Townmouse: Anthony Bourne[23]
 Jeremy Fisher: William Trevitt[24]
 Squirrel Nutkin: Matthew Hart[25]