Ballets 87

Arthur Bliss's Checkmate is a ballet that truly cuts to the core. It's not just a dance; it's a psychological thriller woven through movement, a silent story of ambition, betrayal, and ultimate destruction. And let me tell you, dancing it is a visceral experience. You're thrown headfirst into the world of this chess game turned human drama, and you become both spectator and participant, feeling the tension build with every turn of the music.

The first thing that strikes you is the stark beauty of the choreography. Frederick Ashton's work here is, as always, so precise and eloquent, yet infused with a raw intensity. Every move feels deliberate, each pause heavy with unspoken meaning. It's a ballet where the silence between steps holds just as much weight as the steps themselves.

Of course, no ballet can achieve such brilliance without its musical counterpart, and Bliss delivers a score that is absolutely phenomenal. The music mirrors the story perfectly: a swirling, hypnotic waltz for the alluring queen, jarring discord for the tension and fear, a final brutal cacophony to reflect the king’s descent into madness. There's no escaping it – the music pulls you in, leaving you in its thrall.

But no dance, no matter how brilliant, can reach its full potential without the dancers to breathe life into it. Checkmate is a demanding ballet that requires immense technical skill and a deep understanding of its emotional landscape. You've got the regal queen, with her power and allure; the cunning knight, whose movements are swift and precise, radiating strength; and the troubled king, whose slow, pained steps reveal a crumbling soul. And then, there's the shadow, whose ominous movements hang over everything like a silent threat. Each dancer plays their part to perfection, embodying the complexities of their character through every nuanced gesture.

Speaking personally, having had the chance to dance this ballet, it's been an extraordinary journey. The challenges have been immense - from mastering the demanding technical steps to portraying the deep emotional complexities of the characters. Every performance requires immense focus and a commitment to pouring your heart and soul into every movement. There's no hiding in Checkmate. You stand exposed, every thought and feeling laid bare.

Checkmate is not just about a game of chess. It's a commentary on human nature, on the insatiable hunger for power, on the consequences of blind ambition. It explores themes of love, betrayal, madness, and the vulnerability that lies beneath a seemingly impenetrable exterior. Let's Break Down Each Role:

• The Queen – In the world of Checkmate, the Queen is not just a symbol of power, she's a seductive force, capable of playing men like pawns. But underneath her elegance and charisma, there's a hint of ruthless ambition. This complexity, which makes her so fascinating, is both challenging and incredibly rewarding to portray. She’s a dancer's dream, because you can truly show your range, from fierce to delicate to predatory all in one dance.
• The King - His internal battle with madness, and eventual succumbing to it, is the core of the piece. You need to convey not just the decline, but also the pain, the struggle, and finally the quiet acceptance of his fate. It’s a role that takes a toll on the dancer, but it's also intensely fulfilling.
• The Knight – The Knight represents a different kind of power, sharp and focused. This is a role demanding physical strength, agility, and an awareness of the delicate balance between attack and defence. You need to dance with precision and an unwavering sense of purpose. You can’t have any false moves.
• The Shadow – This is an abstract, shadowy presence. It's a silent force, representing death and destruction, always hovering at the edge, ready to engulf everything. To play this role, a dancer has to embody a terrifying sense of inevitability, constantly pushing the boundaries of their physicality, pushing at the limits of what they can achieve.

The technical demands of the choreography in this ballet are rigorous and relentless, constantly pushing dancers to their limits. You've got the powerful jumps, the sharp, angular movements, the mesmerizing spins. Every step is imbued with emotion, requiring not just physical skill, but also a keen awareness of the subtext of each sequence.

The beauty of this ballet is that its themes are universal, making it timeless and open to interpretations that speak to different audiences, across different eras. The themes of power struggles, ambition, and ultimately the fragility of the human spirit resonate even more strongly in a world where politics and power seem more volatile than ever. The more you dig into the complexities of the story, the more the emotions seem to flow in waves – it truly pulls you in and keeps you enthralled from beginning to end.

Checkmate is a piece of art that demands a visceral response. You won't be left untouched, but will have a new appreciation for the power of movement, music, and the dance.