Indonesia
Nutcracker Ballet by Marlupi Dance Academy
It doesn’t have to be basic needs, clothing and food. Caring for children of an orphanage can be shown by an art show. That was what Marlupi Dance Academy (MDA) had done on December 14th, 2014. The ballet class under Marlupi Sijangga invited hundreds of orphans for their special balet audience “The Nutcracker” in Caesar Ballroom, Empire Palace Surabaya. These kids came from Elpidos Foundation, Ada Hari Esok Foundation and Undaan Kulon Foundation.
The 60 minutes show opened at 10.00. It involved 50 main dancers and 350 supporting dancers, including some little ballerina. “We chose The Nutcracker because the story is identical to Christmas and is well known widely, especially among the kids,” Marlupi reasoned. “The Nutcracker” told story about a young girl Clara. On the Christmas eve, she had a gift of a device to crack nuts or nutcracker from a magician Herr Drosselmeyer. The gift led her to some fascinating dream world. In her Christmas eve’s dream, Clara met the prince, Snow Queen, Sugar Princess, citizen of Candy Island, the mouse army with their evil king.
“The Nutcracker” ballet show was the first time in Surabaya. At least eight dances were performed, like “Chocolate from Spanish”, “Tea from Chinese”, “Coffee from Arabia”, “Russian Dance”, “Bee”, “Mother Gigono”, “Waits of the Flower” and “Grand Pas De Deux”. Among the little dancers were the twin Aimee and Melia. Both claimed that they were happy to be a part of the show. “We had three months of practice. Twice a week, plus ballet course on Wednesday,” Merry Agustin, the mother, revealed.
“The Nutcracker” successfully entertained the audience. According to the Head of Hari Esok Foundation, Desi Lieve, this was her kids’ first experience of watching ballet. They were impressed to see the beautiful moves of the ballerinas in telling Clara’s tale. Fifi Sijangga, Marluppi’s eldest daughter who was the artistic director for “The Nutcracker”, said their party was very serious in preparing the show. “We were very selective in deciding who plays who, the songs, choreography and the consideration to have the talented little ballerinas to engage here,” said Fifi.
“The Nutcracker” was a tale by German’s author Ernst Theodor Amadeus Hoffmann in 1816. The original title was “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King”. But the title changed after being performed in a ballet concert in Russia, 1892. The show was a big hit and the musical composition went sky rocketing in one night. “The Nutcracker” then become the most well known ballet story in the world until today.
HAFIDA INDRAWATI
PHOTOS: HAFIDA INDRAWATI
