Bristol Hippodrome has a break in its packed schedule of musicals and plays this week with a stint from the English National Ballet. This was only my second time seeing a professional dance company and my first experience seeing a traditional ballet, so admittedly I had very little to go on from beyond what I’d seen previously in films.
Raymonda is a ballet written in the 19th century following a story centred around chivalry in the medieval world, reflective of society's interest in the Crusades (fought between 1095 and 1291). This production reimagined by Artistic Director Tamara Rojo CBE was set against the backdrop of the Crimean War from 1853 to 1856, drawing inspiration from Florence Nightingale's story for the female lead.
Speaking on the production, Ms Rojo said: "Raymonda is a beautiful ballet, with extraordinary music, exquisite and intricate original choreography, but with a female lead who I felt deserved more agency in her own story. Working with my incredible creative team I have set Raymonda in a new historical setting to bring something unique, relevant and inspiring to audiences.
