Performed by Staatsballett Berlin
Choreography Edward Clug
Music Milko Lazar
The moment the curtain goes up, the line between waking life and magic dissolves. Their spellbinding staging of A Midsummer Night’s Dream goes beyond traditional ballet—it draws you into an otherworldly realm where movement, music, and storytelling intertwine into pure enchantment.
It presents an aesthetic that is visually very rich, surrounding the stage in a dreamscape of shimmering hues, dynamic set design, and effortless elegance. The dancers do not simply perform choreography—they speak a fluent poetry through the movements, effortlessly translating romance, mischief, and wonder into physical grace.
It’s a breathtaking fusion of control and chaos—silky, fluid isolations exploding into thunderous power moves without missing a micro-beat. The stage transforms into a living, breathing canvas of flashing strobes and sweeping shadows, amplifying every shift in mood. You aren't just watching a performance; you're locked into a high-frequency experience that rattles your chest and stays with you long after the final spotlight fades.
Edward Clug stands as one of the most distinctive and inventive choreographers of the modern ballet era. What sets Clug apart is his ability to bridge the gap between classical ballet’s structural discipline and contemporary dance’s fluid, earthy freedom. He does not simply throw out classical technique; instead, he deconstructs it, infusing traditional movement with unexpected angles, sharp geometric precision, and a unique sense of wit.
Rather than literally retelling the plots, Edward Clug digs straight into the psychological core of the stories, expressing Shakespeare's timeless themes through sharp geometric movements and vivid visual metaphors.
Radio & Juliet (2005) - This iconic piece brought Edward Clug international acclaim and completely reinvented Shakespeare’s classic tragedy. Replacing Sergei Prokofiev’s traditional orchestral score, he set the ballet to the moody, atmospheric rock and electronic music of Radiohead.
Key Elements of Edward Clug’s Shakespearean Style is leaving only the essential emotional spine of the play. He relies on clean lines, stark lighting, and inventive prop use to create an immersive atmosphere that lets the dancers' movement take center stage.
Staatsballet Berlin offered its audience a most beautiful and truly outstanding season finale.
"Swift as a shadow, short as any dream,
Brief as the lightning in the collied night..."
📸 Credit:Yan Revazov
