Chout: A Ballet of Brutality and Absurdity
Stepping onto the stage, I was struck by the visceral power of Prokofiev’s music. The insistent rhythm, the driving energy, it all promised something explosive, something raw, and indeed, it delivered. Chout, the ballet first premiered in 1921, is a rollercoaster ride through the absurdity of human life, with its narrative playing out as a tragedy laced with a morbid, dark humour. I knew it was going to be challenging, both physically and emotionally. And boy, was it.
As a dancer, I have a profound appreciation for choreography that demands both precision and instinct, that throws you headfirst into the narrative while leaving space for improvisation. Chout's choreography by Leonide Massine was just that. Each movement felt calculated, but it never felt contrived, rather, it served the story like an undercurrent. Massine was a master at weaving movement and storytelling, and it was clear his aim was to strip away the conventions of traditional ballet, creating something that was raw, potent and, at times, brutally honest. It’s challenging but invigorating choreography that asks much of the dancers.
The story is simple: the titular Chout, a clumsy oaf, makes a fatal mistake when he accidentally pushes his mistress, the wealthy merchant's wife, to her death. But the ballet, as is the case with many of Prokofiev’s works, is far from simple in its execution. We see the desperation, the fear, the rage, the absurd attempts at escape. The dance, however, manages to do something remarkable. It simultaneously strips bare the tragedy of the event while revealing the comical nature of its absurdity.
The ballet's three main characters - The Chout, the Merchant, and the Wife - carry the weight of the narrative, and each demands a certain strength and resilience.
The Chout: A clumsy brute or a tragic figure?
The Chout, often played by a male dancer, is a brute, yes. His movements are abrupt, often jerky, and sometimes downright ridiculous. He doesn’t have a graceful bone in his body. This was a challenge for me personally as the character needed to project brute strength while displaying the nuances of an idiot - but also be sympathetic because ultimately he was not wholly responsible for his actions. His choreography demands strength and flexibility in equal measure. You can't be afraid to move ungracefully, even hilariously so. I wanted to portray Chout as a man overwhelmed by his own clumsiness, his actions often reacting to the absurdity of his predicament. He's almost a tragic figure in a world he simply doesn’t understand, with a naivete that is almost heartbreaking. It’s a challenge that every dancer dreams of encountering, and in Chout you can truly find your own voice within the role.
The Merchant: Power, Rage and Absurdity
The Merchant is the perfect antithesis to the Chout. He is powerful, imposing, and moves with a controlled precision that speaks volumes of his wealth and status. Yet he's trapped in his grief. There is an almost primal rage to him, his grief not finding solace in traditional mourning. But despite his towering physicality, he is just as much a puppet to the absurd narrative, just as susceptible to the comedic nature of the tragedy. As the dancer in this role, your physical prowess is put to the test. You need to move with a strength and a conviction that portrays both his pain and the power he believes he wields.
The Wife: A Trapped Soul
The Wife’s choreography is as intriguing as the characters she embodies. The opening scene, where the wife enters as an elegant and alluring presence, sets the stage for her tragedy. Yet, as the narrative unfolds, you sense she is trapped by her circumstance, by the stifling confines of her society. Her grace, initially seductive and confident, becomes something tinged with despair, her final moments painted with a sense of desperation. The actress playing her must balance this vulnerability with strength, her choreography requiring subtle yet forceful movements, a constant battle with her environment and circumstance.
The ensemble, while less prominent than the leading roles, is still vital in constructing the environment that drives the narrative. They act as a chorus, mirroring the emotional chaos of the main characters. Each of their movements holds significance. Their dances weave together, highlighting the impact of Chout’s clumsiness and the Merchant’s rage.
Prokofiev’s Musical Genius
One can't speak about Chout without discussing the impact of its musical genius. Prokofiev masterfully uses his orchestra as an additional character, adding another dimension to the dance. He moves with an almost frenzied energy, sometimes reflecting the chaos of the stage and, at other times, commenting on the characters' thoughts. His use of dissonances adds to the jarring, disturbing element of the story, a constant tension underscoring the characters' struggle.
The Art of the Absurd
Chout is a ballet about human frailty and its connection to absurdity. As I danced in it, it was clear that the comedic moments were not meant for laughs alone; they underscored the darker realities of our world. The slapstick, the near-farcical, were not meant for amusement alone. The slapstick underscores the pain, the near-farcical, the desperation that runs beneath the narrative's surface. The ballet, with its blunt and direct choreography, was daring and revolutionary for its time. In the years since, it has endured as a poignant reminder that even in tragedy, there is space for absurdity. It is an embodiment of the grotesque and the comedic; a chaotic celebration of human folly.
For any ballet dancer, I wholeheartedly recommend Chout. Its story, though not a traditional ballet, holds a profound relevance even in contemporary society, urging dancers to embrace the full spectrum of human emotion through dance, leaving the audience awestruck.
And for audiences?Chout is not for the faint of heart. This ballet is raw, brutal, and challenges every expectation of how you may perceive classical dance. It’s a reminder that art does not need to be gentle or soft; it can be disruptive, jarring, even frightening. Yet, it has a beauty all its own - one born from raw emotions and a willingness to embrace life's harsher realities. Go prepared to be challenged, go prepared to laugh, and above all, be prepared to engage in a conversation with yourself after the final curtain falls.