The Eifman Ballet, a renowned St. Petersburg dance company, has jazzed up London’s theatre scene with its latest production – a contemporary take on Scott Fitzgerald’s 1934 novel Tender is the Night.
Up & Down – a “tragic and bright chronicle of a person’s spiritual death” – follows the rise and fall of a young psychoanalyst and one of his patients, who he ends up marrying.
It is set in the 1920s, to a mostly George Gershwin and Franz Schubert score.
“The story is about how a dream of happiness turns into a disaster, and an externally beautiful and carefree life flowing to the rhythms of jazz – into a nightmare,” said ballet company founder and choreographer Boris Eifman.
Speaking to RT’s Martyn Andrews, Eifman said: “It’s very important for me to present my shows to a UK audience, as they understand what modern ballet is all about.”
“Up and Down has been shown in many cities around the world and has proved to be a huge success. For the first time the psychoanalytic process, and the inner world of man, is conveyed through the medium of dance. And that leaves a strong impression,” he said.
READ MORE: Russia's Eifman Ballet returns to London to celebrate 40th anniversary
The Eifman Ballet is also celebrating its 40th anniversary. First established in 1977, it is one of the world’s largest non-classical ballet companies. Eifman has created more than 50 full-length works, which have been performed throughout the world.