Ballets 7

Adam Zero, Arthur Bliss, 1946: A Review As a young dancer, I'm drawn to ballets that push boundaries, that challenge convention. It's not just about perfect technique, but about the storytelling, the emotion, the way a ballet can make you feel like you're seeing the world through new eyes. This is why, for me, *Adam Zero* is a truly remarkable ballet. It's not a story ballet in the traditional sense, but rather a powerful exploration of themes like war, creation, and humanity. **A Ballet for its Time** The music by Arthur Bliss is haunting and unforgettable, a thrilling, emotional score that evokes the post-war atmosphere of disillusionment and hope that was so pervasive at the time. He was writing music for the future - he'd served in the Royal Air Force during the war, and understood the impact of such immense loss and the struggle to rebuild, to move forward. The use of percussion is masterful, mimicking the relentless march of war. It's a bold and complex score that feels so timely in our own times too, with war once again so present in our collective psyche. But it's not just the music, it's the way the choreography weaves the music's themes into a breathtaking tapestry of movement. The choreography, by Robert Helpmann, is truly unique. There are moments of immense grace and beauty, but also harsh, almost brutal movements. There are sequences that feel like they're directly taken from battlefield images of men caught in a maelstrom. There is an unmistakeable militaristic precision that runs throughout, but also a desperation for something more, an inner longing to transcend the devastation of the times. And at the heart of this, we find the extraordinary figure of Adam Zero. It's impossible to look away. **Adam Zero: Symbol of Loss, and Rebirth** Helpmann chose to make the character of Adam Zero (a role for which he was himself perfectly suited, even in later years when he was no longer a leading dancer, so physically imposing) an anti-hero, the "ideal" young man, perhaps, but marked by tragedy. The way he moved on stage - almost imperceptibly at times, he walked and moved through his fellow dancers. A young soldier who survived but bears the burden of this survival and the horrors he saw in his subconscious. I'm not entirely sure if he ever "recovered," he just lives with the burden, which gives a melancholy air to the role. The dancers who bring this role to life must convey this complexity and inner turmoil with every gesture, and it is a task for the most skilled and experienced dancers. The dancers who took on Adam Zero throughout the decades ( Helpmann himself was one of them) brought such conviction and authenticity, embodying his physical presence, that this almost mythical figure became iconic in ballet circles, representing a shared pain. **A Multitude of Voices: Ensemble as a Tapestry of Lives** The beauty of Helpmann's choreography lies in the way he uses the ensemble dancers to create a sense of both collective unity and individual struggle. They move as one, creating waves of human movement that echo the rhythm of war, but within that there are also moments of breathtaking individual beauty. This, to me, represents how humanity moves through life, and yet the unique and individual essence that shines through in each of us. One of my favourite sequences is where Adam Zero stands surrounded by a sea of dancers representing all of humanity - there are moments of quiet contemplation as the other dancers seem to watch Adam Zero. There is also a tenderness there, an almost maternal affection shown towards the young Adam. It's as if they know his pain and want to shield him from it. I have read accounts of the time the ballet was first staged, and heard how the audience stood up in thunderous applause, unable to control their tears. To see this piece and be brought to such raw emotional response - it's rare. It's something that's deeply ingrained in this work. I see why. It speaks of our very humanity - both the darkness and light, the resilience we have even when faced with impossible situations, the yearning to be human, to connect with one another even when torn apart by conflict and suffering. It's that balance - the hope for a future and the reminder that war exists, and we must keep in mind those that were lost. That is perhaps what the role of Adam Zero ultimately reminds us of: that even amidst devastation and loss, there's still a powerful and enduring human spirit. *Adam Zero* isn't an easy watch. It's emotionally draining, but it's also intensely powerful and profoundly moving. There is also the way this work of art continues to resonate so deeply with people even decades after its premiere, proof that true artistry and true talent knows no boundary of time or space. It continues to resonate with me, too. Thoughts on the 1946 Premiere: Dancers and Roles **A Few Thoughts on Robert Helpmann's Performance and the Cast:** Helpmann himself originated the role of Adam Zero in the 1946 premiere, and, I hear, delivered an iconic portrayal. His dance is remembered as haunting, moving with a poignant and deeply felt emotional impact. He also cast a company that truly reflected the artistic power of the time, and the depth of the experience. It must have been remarkable to witness in real time, I feel almost wistful for it, just imagining it on stage: * **The Principal Roles: The Storytellers in Motion** * The **Principal Woman** was performed by **Margot Fonteyn**, a renowned dancer, the perfect example of grace and precision, perfectly bringing to life this ballet. Her work brought to life the tenderness, the depth of feeling for Adam Zero, almost mothering him in a beautiful way that resonated profoundly. * **Supporting Roles** - Each role has their importance within this ballet. They create an array of powerful characters: * **John Cranko**, who was a young dancer then, a talent soon to come into his own in a later era, and whose contribution in this ballet was remarkable for that time and those who saw it. He had his moments in *Adam Zero* - some moments of incredible virtuosity as well as some very somber portrayals of war's emotional devastation, and the resilience of humanity. * **Joan Blaxell**, also a brilliant dancer of the time, created another facet to the character of *Adam Zero*. Each performance adds layers of meaning, deepening the ballet's impact on its audience. I only wish I could see this original cast. Adam Zero: An Enduring Legacy** *Adam Zero* remains an important ballet today because it dares to confront challenging themes and offer no easy answers. The ballet reminds us of our common humanity - of the good, the bad, the beautiful and the ugly within all of us, the potential for both creation and destruction. As young dancers, we are constantly reminded of the fragile nature of life and the importance of living it with meaning and purpose. That is the lasting legacy of *Adam Zero*: a masterpiece that challenges, inspires, and moves us. It reminds us that even amidst chaos and despair, there is still hope and resilience. This, for me, is what makes it a masterpiece that deserves to be revived and appreciated by audiences of all generations.