Ballet Manila presents Philippine premiere of classic 'Paquita'

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MANILA, Philippines — Ballet Manila (BM) will formally present a full-length production of the classic "Paquita," celebrating love and triumph in its world premiere of this highly emotional dance drama.

BM's journey to Paquita began with a divertissement — a short ballet usually used as an interlude — during the company's Pearl Anniversary last year.

"When I finally read it in full, I decided that it would be exciting and perfectly manageable to present a two-act classical ballet to Filipino audiences," said BM's chief executive officer and artistic director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde.

"I started to build the ballet chapter by chapter in my head. But the actual creation did not happen until I was in the studio in front of the dancers," she continued. "The company's 40-member ensemble is the perfect size to handle the intricate and challenging choreography."

Set in Napoleon-conquered Spain, the story follows a young Romani woman, Paquita (Abigail Oliveiro), who saves the life of French officer Lucien (Mark Sumaylo), from a governor’s assassination plot.

Along the way, she discovers her own noble heritage; allowing the couple to overcome rigid social barriers to love and marry in a happy ending that many Filipinos prefer.

"The story is similar to 'Giselle' but with a happy ending for the leads. It unfolds from a murder mystery with twists and turns like a telenovela," Macuja-Elizalde previously said during a presser at the Aliw Theater. "This is a new production with new sets and costumes. The performers are strong, both in ballet and the Spanish style of dancing."

During the presser, the company presented a spot number from Act 1 — showing matadors and gypsy girls dancing for prominent French nobles; the opening scene of Act 2, a ballet mime between the Spanish governor and Iñigo and their plot to kill Lucien; and the grand pas adaggio.

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"Audiences will get to see things clearly in the divertissement. My Paquita seems to have two faces. I used to rehearse with my original partner, Joshua Enciso, who suffered from an injury. But now with a different partner, Mark Sumaylo, it's a bit different; despite performing the same routine,” shared Oliveiro, a principal dancer.

The full-length production is choreographed by Macuja-Elizalde based on the choreography of Joseph Mazilier, Pierre Malavergne, and Marius Petipa.

The artistic director described the first act as the meeting between the two leads and third wheel Iñigo, meanwhile the second act is a comic part culminating in a big revelation with a happy ending.

Macuja-Elizalde acknowledged that 'Paquita' is rarely produced as a full-length ballet, as such she is planning to stage a rare prologue to give audiences a clearer perspective on the story.

"I looked at strength and technique during the casting to be sure they get to perform and endure til the curtain call. Most interpretations of the support characters don't usually dance, they simply mime," she said. "But here, they dance. It was easier to create the full-length version because of the help of existing choreography of the pas de trois and divertissement."

"We love story ballets, the classics, because it is important that we keep them alive by telling a story without a single word. And we need to continue telling these stories," enthused Macuja Elizalde.

"Paquita" will have three presentations, starting with a gala on June 19 at 8 p.m. and two afternoon shows on June 20 and 21 at 5 p.m. All performances will be at the Aliw Theater.

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