I’ve always been interested in the historic cultural crossover between Russia and France. Here’s a true mixture of both. A ballet story written and composed in France and performed in Russia.

The Lady with the Camellias, best known in English as Camille, is a story set in mid-19th-century France, written by Alexandre Dumas fils when he was only 23 years old, and published in 1848, with his real-life lover Marguerite Gautier as central character. This story has inspired operas, ballets, plays, books and countless movies ever since. […]

Read full article by Margy Kinmonth: BOLSHOI BALLET IN UK CINEMAS FROM 1 NOVEMBER 2020: “THE LADY OF THE CAMELLIAS” published in Russian Art + Culture on 30 October 2020.

“I miss going to the ballet, to experience breathtaking live performances in the flesh. The last time I was in the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow was at Christmas, sitting on gold chairs in a sea of plush velvet. Now the pandemic has changed everything…we watch things at home in our pyjamas. But something’s come along that’s well worth going out for.

“Romeo and Juliet” is an incredible moviegoers’ treat. Sergei Prokovief’s music score is distinctive and familiar, the sound is so good – the orchestra which could be right here in the room. Gifted ex Bolshoi choreographer Alexei Ratmansky of the American Ballet Theatre, is famous for restaging traditionally classical ballets for large companies. And this is no exception, he powerfully brings out the modernity of the company in this classic tale of forbidden love. […]

Read full article by Margy Kinmonth: “ROMEO AND JULIET” FROM THE BOLSHOI THEATRE – AN INCREDIBLE MOVIEGOERS’ TREAT published in Russian Art + Culture on 8 October 2020.

Director Margy Kinmonth writes:

I revisit the National Gallery London, which reopens after 111 days of pandemic lockdown and find it transformed.

Read full article by Margy Kinmonth: RUSSIA UNLOCKS AT THE NATIONAL GALLERY published in Russian Art + Culture on 12 July 2020.