Riot at the Rite
In 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.
Directed by Andy Wilson
Cast
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Adam Garcia Vaslav Nijinsky -
Alex Jennings Sergei Diaghilev -
Emma Pierson Romola -
Griff Rhys Jones Astruc -
Jonathan Aris Jean Cocteau -
Christian McKay Pierre Monteux -
Richard Hope Grigoriev - Philip Herbert Antoine
- André Schneider Ivory
- Naomi Wattis Lydia
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Peter Copley Patron -
Sara Dee Lady Hysteria
Make it a double feature
2h 58m together
Riot at the Rite
On a Magical Night
A close match in mood and era.
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