Operetta, Italian Style

For Max,

A You Tube gem from Italian television entitled: "Operetta , Mondaini
Mita Medici Pippo Baudo, 10 puntata canzonissima":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfTo5RS-WLQ

Bring back any memories?

Barbebleu

2nd & Final Part of My Review of "Gigi"

Ladies and Gentlemen, as promised here is the 2nd & final part of my review of the production of the Lyric Opera of San Diego's "Gigi".

I already covered the big can-can number in the penultimate scene of the play, but here is my review of the added bonus from the first act.  As a reminder, my criteria for judging a can-can is authenticity of the costumes, attention to detail, choreography, length of the number, and enthusiasm on a scale from 1-10.

As I mentioned before, in the 1st act is a number entitled "The Night They Invented Champagne" where the leading lady who played Gigi, the leading man who was "Gaston", and Gigi's grandmother all became tipsy when enjoying a bottle of bubbly.  They all started singing and enjoy themselves with gusto and wouldn't you know it, our leading lady launched right into an impromptu can-can!  Here's my take on it.

For authenticity of costumes and attention to detail I give each criteria a 9.5.  Gigi's costume was perfectly authentic to her character and the time period (Circa 1900).  It was an iconic, and eye-catching outfit consisting of a navy blue sailor dress, straw boater hat, white stockings, black Mary-Jane shoes, and gloriously white knee-length bloomers. 

I've always liked the black strappy shoes with white stockings, very "Alice in Wonderland."  The high score also comes from the fact that I love it when can-can girls wear real Victorian bloomers.  Gigi's bloomers were a brilliant shade of white with the requisite ruffles at the bottom; when she danced they contrasted well with the navy blue of her dress.  I would have liked to have seen one petticoat of a dark color with some lace detail, but I was perfectly satisfied with how her costume looked.

For choreography, I give it it a 9.  The leading lady knew almost every step that goes into a well-made can-can, and believe me, she knew how to pull it off.  There were many twirls that opened her skirt like an umbrella, a couple of high-jumps, and plenty of textbook skirt hold-and-kick combinations.  The only thing missing was seeing our lady's no doubt delightful derriere clad in white bloomers courtesy of a royal flash.  That would have been the cherry on the sundae, but for an impromptu can-can, it was excellent.

For length, I have to give it a 4.  It was impromptu, and I'm glad it happened, but with a beautiful lady wearing a cute costume with such detail only giving just under a minute of can-can dancing, I was left wanting even more!  Oh well, I guess we can't have everything we want all the time, but to deprive a can-can connoisseur?  Give me a break!

For enthusiasm, I would give it a definite 9.5!  I'm sure that the addition of champagne made our leading lady less reserved than normal.  I'm guessing it was also the buoyant energy of the song that inspired her to dance with jovial abandon.  Gigi was enjoying herself so much during her short impromptu can-can, I wished that I could be the leading man, having her dancing like that so close to me!  Her face was just lit up with life and gusto, and she certainly would win a prize for dancing with so much glee!

I was pleasantly surprised at the leading lady launching into such a joyous, impromptu can-can.  I was not happy with it being such a short length, but overall it was a nice little surprise.  I enjoyed this production, and can't wait for my next opportunity.  If you wish for some additional reviews from Yours Truly on can-can sequences in plays, movies, and tv shows that are already up, just let me know.  For now, I hoped you enjoyed this additional review, and I'll see you at the next show!

Have a great day, everyone!  High Kicks and Hi-jinks to ya!

Sincerely,

Anthony

Sparkling Diamonds - Balet Pise - Czech Republic

I think the name of the dance group is Sparkling Diamonds, but I could
be wrong. I can't find a website for the dancers other than the blog
that the following links lead to. At any rate, whatever the name, it's a
group of pretty dancers.

Scroll down the blog pages below. Many have several cancan photos on
them.

http://balet.pise.cz/042008/

http://balet.pise.cz/galerie-the-best/042008/

http://balet.pise.cz/012008/

http://balet.pise.cz/122008/

http://balet.pise.cz/022009/

http://balet.pise.cz/032009/

Barbebleu

A "Fan of the Can" Review of "Gigi" @ the North Park Theatre in San Diego

Well, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am sad to report that the Lyric Opera of San Diego ended it's production of "Gigi" on Sunday, October 3rd.  However, I am happy to report that I was lucky enough to be in the front row of this charming musical romp through Paris, circa 1900 for the October 2nd penultimate performance. 

As I promised, here is my special critique on the most "unique" aspect of this performance.  Let it suffice to say that I have always been a fan of the theater and music since I was a little kid; and since I began indulging my attraction to the can-can several years ago, I have gone to many different performances for many occasions.  Anyway, enough about me, here is my "Fan of the Can" review of "Gigi".

The Can-Can for this show takes place in the penultimate scene of the play, which is at Maxim's, which many of you might remember from The Merry Widow.  The dancers consisted of six ladies, each in a dress that was one color of the rainbow (R.O.Y.G.B.I.V.) and embellished with black lace, and two gentlemen who were very skilled and dapper acrobats, one in red and black, and the other in blue and black.

The Can-Can opened the scene, and it lasted for about five or six minutes.  To be clear, I have my own personal criteria for evaluating a can-can number: authenticity of the costumes, attention to detail, choreography, length of the number, and enthusiasm.

For costumes, I would give an 8.5 for authenticity and attention to detail.  The ladies' hair was well put together and embellished with feathers.  They wore long, black lacy gauntlet gloves; their dresses had slightly puffed sleeves and had the requisite ruffled petticoats in black and the same color as the matching dress.  The only criticisms were that although it was quite clear that they wore both flesh-tone tights with black fishnets over them, the simple black dancing slippers and basic black full-cut panties were a slight disappointment.

For choreography, I would give a 9.  A plentiful assortment of jumps, spins, hand-linked pinwheel, and even a couple of of royal flashes kept my attention.  Twice there were jump splits and a final flourish of skirt waving.  The best part of the entire number was that the gentleman in black and blue, and the lady in the turquiose-blue dress seemed to have gymnastics backgrounds because they each pulled off triple flips and a perfect 3-point landing.  An extra flourish I didn't expect!

For the length, I would give a 9.  It lasted for about 5 to 6 minutes, and as the music kept going, the ladies and gentlemen kept coming back for more.  Definitely satiating for any can-can conoisseur.

For enthusiasm, I would give a definite 9.  The ladies were definitely vocal about their enjoyment of the dance, and every flourish was applauded by the audience.  The expressions on all their faces were positively glowing with joy.  I could tell that they all enjoyed performing and getting applause from audiences.

There was also an added bonus in the first act that I did not anticipate!  In the number entitled "The Night They Invented Champagne" the leading lady who played Gigi, the leading man who was "Gaston", and Gigi's grandmother all became a little tipsy enjoying a bottle of bubbly!  They all started singing and enjoying themselves with gusto and lo and behold, our leading lady jumped right into an impromptu can-can! 

I guess it kind of made the big can-can number in the second act a little disappointing because of Gigi's heartfelt abandon.  Well, I guess what did it for me was not only the fact that she did an impromptu can-can, but that she was in her iconic costume as well.  When I say "iconic" I mean a navy blue sailor dress, straw boater hat, black Mary-Jane shoes, white stockings, and perfectly clean, white, knee-length bloomers.

I realize that in order to give a complete review of ALL the can-can elements in "Gigi" I will need to write a second part to fully enjoy the impromptu dance of the leading lady.  For now, I am content to say that the main Can-Can number at Maxim's was well-excecuted with gusto and professionalism.  It may have had one or two obvious flaws, but overall it was well done; worthy of the front-row ticket I purchased for a nice evening out.

Thanks for reading; I will return very soon with the second of my now 2-part review of the Lyric Opera of San Diego's production of "Gigi".

Enjoy it all, my fellow connoisseurs!  High Kicks & Best Wishes to All!

Sincerely

Anthony

More Madame Gigi

 

Madame Gigi's Outrageous French Cancan Dancers on Bastille Day courtesy
of Annie Salmona:

http://picasaweb.google.com/asalmona/20100710BastilleDaysCancanDancers#

Barbebleu

9º Didascálico Escola de Dança Athené Tamisier - Alegria Parisiense (Can can).flv

Here's another video of Athene Tamisier's dancers performing in a well-lit venue that facilitated some closer filming. The uploaded video is only 480p due to Multiply's size restrictions, but there is a knock-out 720p version available at You Tube. Many thanks to camilaabad who posted this gem. See the 720p original at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHSzZc1nBOg

Also see the related message in the Blog about Athene Tamisier, with photo links and another video link.

Barbebleu

"Gigi" @ Birch North Park Theatre, San Diego

Been a while since I've seen any good can-can with my own eyes, but now I've got a chance I can't pass up.

This week only, the Birch Theatre in the North Park area of San Diego is putting on a production of Lerner and Lowe's "Gigi" until Sunday the 3rd.  From what I've seen in previews it is a much improved version of the movie with the much-needed addition of a good Late Victorian Can-Can as well as new musical numbers.

Lucky for me, I just happened to be watching the local morning news before class 4 days ago.  There was an interview with the director and a preview performance by the can-can dancers!  Needless to say, I found my interest piqued.

I'll be attending tonight and giving my full critique on the performance later, being the conoisseur of musical theater that I am!

See ya afterwards!

P.S., if you can't wait for my critique, consider this a teaser: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NscwoB9R1S8

Picasa Collection 9-30-10

Offenbach soiree:

http://picasaweb.google.com/offenbach3105/OffenbachSoirE#

The photographer must have drained the battery on this set - cute, but
quite modest:

http://picasaweb.google.com/seokyungpark/2010_08_Cancan#

Proving that black can be very nice from close up:

http://picasaweb.google.com/ebborner/2010IMD35thReunion#

Odds and ends:

http://picasaweb.google.com/113961676366558582195/Norvegia#5515408040031\
436306

http://picasaweb.google.com/113961676366558582195/Norvegia#5515408056762\
720242

http://picasaweb.google.com/inkman88/071310Beach#

http://picasaweb.google.com/augburlesque/CharityCaberetJan2010#

http://picasaweb.google.com/TrakoMedia/TrakoDance02#

http://picasaweb.google.com/victor.grigore/CabaretShow#

http://picasaweb.google.com/neha1403/Wales02052010#5469019717100432386

http://picasaweb.google.com/BMantel.photos/ProfilePhotos#535841861940497\
8258

(Wheeee!)

http://picasaweb.google.com/jereza/Cruise#

http://picasaweb.google.com/jacqueline.vm/BetoCarreiroWorldSCOut2003#538\
9642378391008290

http://picasaweb.google.com/ruminski.yt/20100227Rendezvous#5453765786282\
687698

http://picasaweb.google.com/dalewilliams66/BerlinMesse2008Fans#528012870\
9358484178

http://picasaweb.google.com/codswebok/1970sArchive#5154230946925094514

http://picasaweb.google.com/codswebok/1970sArchive#5170859275484556162

http://picasaweb.google.com/codswebok/1970sArchive#5160537367219085858

Barbebleu

Hoop-it-up

Remember the delightful hoop-skirt minuet/cancan?

http://clubccd.multiply.com/video/item/3/Hoop_Skirt_Cancan_

mimi-rouge has posted some very nice still photos of the dancers that
can be found at:

http://s172.photobucket.com/albums/w37/mimi-rouge/

http://s172.photobucket.com/albums/w37/mimi-rouge/Dance%20and%20Entertai\
nmet/

http://s172.photobucket.com/albums/w37/mimi-rouge/Mimi%20Headshots/Chara\
cters/

Hoop-de-do!

Barbebleu

Escola de dança Athenè Tamisier - Brazil

The site of Escola de dança Athenè Tamisier, with a number of
cancan photos, can be accessed at:

http://www.athenetamisier.com.br

(Photos are scattered throughout the galerie and are not limited to the
albums that have cancan in the title)

Other photos are at:

http://gotoheaven.com.br/blog/category/danca/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ferio/sets/72157622940865231/with/421176239\
9/

Several You Tube videos are also available. Here is one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSlAUR7UHws

Belledonn's

 

Belledonn's, the French old west theme park and a perennial favorite,
shows some new photos for 2010:

Belledonn's 2010 Cancan:

http://picasaweb.google.com/104840641862074837573/WEW2010FrenchCancan#

A few Belledonn's odds and ends:

http://picasaweb.google.com/104840641862074837573/WEW2010OnParade#

Mimimoys at Belledonn's:

http://picasaweb.google.com/104840641862074837573/WEW2010CancanMinimoys#

The Belledonn's main site, with older and smaller photos, is at:

http://belledonns.free.fr/


Barbebleu

Air travel just isn't what it used to be

http://cgi.ebay.com/Hotesse-BEA-Trident-Two-Aeroport-Heathrow-French-Can\
can-/280564796869?pt=FR_SK_dvd_Photo&hash=item4152f70dc5

EBay auction #280564796869

Barbebleu

Karin's?

 

Here is a really nice set of photos of a very pretty cancan troupe from
Denmark. I think it may be Karin's, based on the style of the costumes.
See this remarkable set of originals, taken by Peter Poulsen, at:

http://picasaweb.google.com/nikonpeter9/Cancan#

The Karin's site is:

http://www.ksq.dk/vest/vest.htm

Barbebleu

Study in Sepia

The Sharon Thompson dancers perform an excellent Can Can at The Tivoli Club of Western Australia. The sepia tone of the video actually adds something to it, I think. The performance includes, among other nice moves, a long handstand and the rarely perfomed maneuver made infamous in the old "Carry On, Cowboy" film. You'll know it when you see it.

The original video, available in 720p, was posted by LifeIsStaged at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ht7vgyELEO8

I couldn't find a website for the dancers, but here's their contact information, should anyone wish to hire first rate troupe in Australia:

http://www.hotfrog.com.au/Companies/The-Sharon-Thompson-School-Of-Dance-And-Acrobatics

Barbebleu

Red Alert!

Here's an absolutely spectacular set of photos of Madame Gigi's
Outrageous French Cancan Dancers taken by Mawele:

http://mawele.smugmug.com/Dance/French-dancers/13815870_nHwtY#1012951713\
_YZy9d

Be sure to visit all three pages and then run your cursor over the right
side of the displayed photo to get the option to display the larger
sizes.

Barbebleu

Sarau Romântico - Le Chat Noir

For the white panties and stockings fans - like me - this is a cancan by dancers who I presume are students at the Colégio São Paulo. The choregrapher is Letícia Gonzalez. Nothing spectacular, and there is a hyperactive lighting guy, but I still like it.

See the original video at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_t3tSxVfahU

For a better look at the shiny whities, sans skirts, check the following video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgxYyIX9YoY

And there is another video of the cancan shot from farther away:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_t3tSxVfahU

Barbebleu

Glasgow Subway Festival

You may remember a series of photos on Flickr of some Scottish lasses
cavorting in costume on a subway train. Here's a link to the same girls
in the station before or after the ride:

http://universalnews.photoshelter.com/search?KW=St.+Enochs.+can-can&I_DS\
C_AND=t&I_DSC=St.+Enochs.+can-can+&I_USER_ID=U00004jQ_BJtO3Gg&_ACT=searc\
h

I am sure you will recognize some of the ladies from prior postings.

Unfortunately the photos are watermaked, but they are nice nonetheless.
You may be able to find some more things of interest by searching around
and using the keywords.

Barbebleu

Links 9-9-10 (Barbebleu)

Miscellaneous Links

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mianakenobi/4902351657/sizes/l/in/set-72157\
624794824828/

("You call that a light saber?")

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mianakenobi/sets/72157624794824828/with/490\
2353943/

http://vintageshowgirl.com/images/On%20Stage%20Saloon%20Girl1.jpg

http://vintageshowgirl.com/images/Saloon%20Girl.jpg

http://dallasvintageshop.com/wp-content/uploads/Image/sexy/cincian.jpg

http://www.curtrich.com/FannieK.jpg

http://www.frowbiz.com/images/Rebecca%20Saloon%20Girl.jpg

http://www.risingnewmoonstudios.com/gallery/gallerypages/OKL_SaloonGirl.\
htm

http://talentaz.com/images/saloon.jpg

http://images.esellerpro.com/2152/I/219/83/medscaleEF-2105_800.jpg

http://www.brayerhill.com/Deadwood/16138_1167544425942_1147866656_304249\
57_7692564_n.jpg

http://picasaweb.google.com/barski47/OldTucsonStudios#

http://lovelystamps.ru/120500.jpg

My Space collection - hopefully most are new:

http://www.myspace.com/jillianweller/photos/49604648

http://www.myspace.com/jillianweller/photos/49604667

http://www.myspace.com/jillianweller/photos/49604647

http://www.myspace.com/luminadance/photos/16731334

http://www.myspace.com/518059028/photos/albums/album/0?page=6

(Also pages 5 and 7)

http://www.myspace.com/madocolline/photos/2574033

(Rough landing?)

http://www.myspace.com/actillman/photos/albums/album/0

http://www.myspace.com/actillman/photos/albums/album/0?page=13

http://www.myspace.com/alx013/photos/23982709

http://www.myspace.com/alx013/photos/13916011

(Check the heel)

http://www.myspace.com/alx013/photos/23982696

http://www.myspace.com/quotlesmuscadinsdefrontignanquot/photos/35158459

http://www.myspace.com/quotlesmuscadinsdefrontignanquot/photos/35158462

http://www.myspace.com/esd06/photos/4207027

http://www.myspace.com/esd06/photos/3194971

http://www.myspace.com/karimmribah/photos/40810234#%7B%22ImageId%22%3A40\
810234%7D

http://www.myspace.com/varoslinski/photos/18013896

http://www.myspace.com/ngo-di/photos/1478792

(Sister act?)

http://www.myspace.com/aurygirl23/photos/18060121

http://www.myspace.com/songofatlantashowchorus/photos/1327975

http://www.myspace.com/mawestf/photos/albums/album/0?page=6

http://www.myspace.com/sketchkitten/photos/64852301

http://www.myspace.com/serabob/photos/67070836

(I'd prefer a different canvas)

http://www.myspace.com/497595450/photos/1611742

http://www.myspace.com/497595450/photos/1613507

http://www.myspace.com/lasonrisadelamonalisa/photos/11167014

http://www.myspace.com/burlesquepalast/photos/19380478

http://www.myspace.com/drsketchyhannover/photos/19231288

Topless warning:

http://www.myspace.com/drsketchyhannover/photos/19231290
<http://www.myspace.com/drsketchyhannover/photos/19231290> @

@

http://www.gapo.ro/poze/detaliu/81665-XCP8CGJQ9MXLS6826WWAWR5UK.htm

http://www.ort.ro/imagini_vaduva.php

http://www.agenda.ro/pictures/diverse-34/liliacul5_b.jpg

http://www.vaconline.hu/images/stories/szervezetek/high_res/jeszenszky_s\
zervezetek_h12.jpg

http://s53.radikal.ru/i140/0903/9a/50c7f7238e48.jpg

http://andrerieufan.com/images/12827-12302/daring_dancers.jpg

(From the Andre Rieu Vienna special)

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mKql5AdyqvY/SnIjFSTbkxI/AAAAAAAAAE8/Oh-v3tGuhD\
o/s400/home_2668IMG_105.jpg

http://c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000ASFRD9ksN5s/s

(Underpinnings)

http://archives.thenervousbreakdown.com/kmlee/2007/01/i-miss-giavanna-ke\
rsulis-or-please-give-me-a-moment-to-quietly-rage-against-the-dying-of-t\
he-light/

http://www.prestonopera.org.uk/orpheus/act3pic7.jpg

http://www.ammydrammy.com/wardrobe.htm

http://www.mikecraver.com/goodfellow1.jpg

(Cooling their heels and other parts)

http://www.musicalcriticism.com/opera/eno-widow.jpg

http://themadscene.athenarts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/arsmedia-bel\
le-epoque-3.JPG

http://themadscene.athenarts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/arsmedia-bel\
le-epoque-2.JPG

http://www.lasplash.com/uploads/2/LA_Opera-Merry_Widow-09.jpg

http://www.newlyric.co.uk/Calamity%20Jane/Act1/index.htm

http://www.newlyric.co.uk/Merry%20Widow/Act3_Pics/index.htm

http://www.myspace.com/mawestf/photos/38681164

Barbebleu

French Cancan - You Tube

Someone has posted most of the film, "French Cancan", on You Tube in 480 resolution, which, though not HD, is pretty good quality.

The two most relevant segments are:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyegybgMzGU
(Practice)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQ-Mb832-9k
(Makes perfect)

You can easily find the rest of it.

It may not be there long.

Barbebleu

Pauline Reader Dancers at the Great Dorset Steam Fair

Great video by nickn5nl of the Pauline Reader Dancers in performance at the Great Dorset Steam Fair. The videographer laments the sun shining into the camera, but compared to most performance videos this is a gem. Many thanks to nickn5nl for this enjoyable video.

See his description at the You Tube posting below where he gives some background about the event and the Pauline Reader Dancers. They have been a fixture at the Steam Fair for many years. May they continue the tradition for many more.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syd8smWc1gk