Arts Management Programme 2012
Vertical Road by Akram Khan Company
China-UK Drama and Theatre Education Forum
The Unholy Trinity
DAVID COPPERFIELD
Guangzhou Live 2011
CtC Endinburgh Festival Experience Sharing Seminar SH
CtC Endinburgh Festival Experience Sharing Seminar BJ
CtC Endinburgh Festival Experience Sharing Seminar SZ
CtC Endinburgh Festival Experience Sharing Seminar HK
Europe-China Cultural Compass
A Midsummer Night’s Dream 2011
The OVERCOAT by Gecko 2011
Bill Aitchison: The Customer Is Always Wrong
Davey Anderson at Beijing Fringe Festival
Scavengers by Davey Anderson
Much Ado About Nothing China Tour
Vertical Road
Northern Ballet joining NCPA New Year Season 2011
Arts Class of Shanghai Grand Theatre: British Musical
International Radio Playwriting Competition 2011
Best of Edinburgh Fringe Festival
Overcoat
Drama and dance
Drama and dance
Drama and dance industry news
Drama and dance projects archive
Back to Arts and culture Index Page
China-UK Creative Entrepreneur Network
Forward Motion British Screen Dance
2010 International Master Class on Directing
Super Vision Design Art Show
John Moores (SH) Contemporary Painting Prize
BBC Symphony Orchestra Shanghai Concert
bahok Farewell In Beijing
cubed: latest UK science news
Scholarships and work in the UK
Register for IELTS
Studying in the UK
Job opportunities
Britain in China
Visit Britain
Britannica
Madame Butterfly
Madame Butterfly
Innocence, love and betrayal unfold in the picturesque gardens of a Japanese Villa. Butterfly is fragile, unworldly, and prepared to sacrifice everything for the love of the handsome American Lieutenant Pinkerton. He deserts her and their child, only to return years later with his new wife. Abandoned and betrayed, Butterfly is left with only one honourable course of action.
East meets West as the soaring melodies of Puccini’s emotive score are interspersed with traditional Japanese music. Japanese-style dancing is blended with classical ballet, capturing the pain and passion of the conflict between Butterfly’s Japan and Pinkerton‘s America that lies at the heart of this tragedy. Northern Ballet Theatre’s Madame Butterfly, choreographed by David Nixon, has captivated audiences across the world.
ACT I
A Samurai, the father of Butterfly, has been disgraced and in the last moments before he commits Hari Kari sells his daughter to the marriage broker, Goro. Butterfly enters the world of Geisha with her only possession, her father’s sword, and dresses in her new kimono.
American naval officer, Pinkerton, and some friends are being entertained in a Geisha house. He is bewitched by one particularly beautiful geisha and Goro the marriage broker points out that the young girl in question, Butterfly, can be purchased as a ‘bride’. Butterfly is little more than a child and believes this to be a serious marriage. She betrays her religion and adopts her husband’s Christian faith, committing herself to him forever.
Goro is showing Pinkerton his hilltop lover’s nest when his friends arrive. The young men are absorbed in their friendship and the excitement of the mock wedding to come. Sharpless the American Consulate arrives to officiate and they all toast the American flag. Butterfly arrives and she and Pinkerton are married, but the festivities are interrupted when the Bonze, a Japanese holy man, arrives to denounce Butterfly for converting to Christianity. He declares her an outcast and the guests all depart. Butterfly prepares for her wedding night, and though she has been disgraced and feels shy she soon finds freedom in the arms of her lover. She is an American now. Dawn finds Pinkerton departing for his ship and the start of Butterfly’s patient vigilance.
ACT II
Three years have passed and Butterfly has borne Pinkerton a son. Butterfly and Suzuki, her maid, have become firm friends, Suzuki enduring Butterfly’s blind determination and faith that Pinkerton will return. As if in answer to Butterfly’s longing, Sharpless appears with a letter from Pinkerton. Pinkerton has no plans to return. Butterfly’s worst fears have been confirmed but she shows Sharpless Pinkerton’s son and he assures her that he will notify Pinkerton.
As Spring breaks through winter Goro appears with a new suitor for Butterfly, the Prince Yamedori. Butterfly plays the part of the Geisha perfectly, behaving like the silly girl they assume she is. However, when the men think they have won her over she chases them from her house and is stopped only by the cannon on the harbour announcing the arrival of a ship. It is Pinkerton’s ship and Butterfly and Suzuki begin the preparations for his arrival. Dressed in her wedding kimono Butterfly waits for her husband all night, but when dawn comes there is still no sign of him.
Pinkerton shares an intimate moment with his American wife, Kate, before meeting the consulate. Sharpless is not happy to see Pinkerton and reminds him of the difficult situation ahead of him. The Americans arrive at the hilltop but, as memories of the enchanting night he spent with the fragile Butterfly and the thought of seeing her again overwhelm him, Pinkerton flees from the scene, leaving Kate to deal with Butterfly.
Butterfly hears the noise outside and runs from the house in search of Pinkerton. Instead of finding her husband she finds instead his wife and her own bitter destiny. Though filled with grief and desperation Butterfly accepts Kate as Pinkerton’s wife and surrenders into her care her last reason for living, her child.
Left alone, deserted by family, husband, religion and child, Butterfly retreats back to the only thing she has left - her culture. In this culture, freedom from life’s dishonour can be found through ritual suicide. Her father’s Samurai sword, her only inheritance, frees Butterfly at last.
Reviews
"this exquisite Madame Butterfly quite simply takes your breath away. Nagao's performance belies great strength...terrifyingly magnetizing. This is Nixon's true thumbprint. Simply stunning." —METRO YORKSHIRE
"dance really is the perfect medium to express the tragedy of Madame Butterfly....A triumph of artistry worth a visit by anyone." — SUNDAY EXPRESS
"This is an impressive looking and wonderfully lit ballet. Nixon's understanding of Japanese history and culture gives it striking authenticity." — THE STAGE
"The ballet is beautifully designed...Butterfly's arrival in a litter for the wedding, hiding modestly behind an elaborate fan, is stunning....Nixon's choreography is fluent and inventive in its blend of pointe-work and Japanese inflections....a success for NBT." —THE SUNDAY TIMES
"...solidly crafted piece of dramatic dance entertainment....The featherlight Chiaki Nagao scores a personal triumph in the role....she covers a lot of emotional ground in delicate yet decisive style." —THE TIMES
