Kumakawa has to be the most brilliant golden/bronze idol of all time. And I like this version staged by Makarova eliminating the children in blackface as golliwogs. Saw the Bolshoi's version last night with kids from SF ballet who wore black tights and black long-sleeved leotards under their dresses but, thankfully, no blackface or curly wigs.
Which only makes for a travesty of a character's appearance design. What would be then the purpose of the black arms and legs...? or the logical explanation for the face/limbs mismatch ? Vitiligo...? If they're afraid of the racial debate, they should just have eliminated the leotards and tights along with the face makeup...or even better...erase the characters. On the contrary, if they want to present a historically acurate/restored version, as this was intended...then go and do it right.
I saw this particular production with Bussell in the lead role. Kumakawa as the Golden Idol was a revelation. An exhilarating live performance that still gives me chills.
Thank you for posting this - it brings back so many wonderful memories!
Does anyone know of a copy of the performance of "La Bayadere" , performed and directed by Makarova, in 1980 at the ABT??? I would so appreciate it, Thanks.
He doesn't slow his pirouettes to step out of them, if anything, he speeds up!!! An other-wordly beauty.
supermaxim109 11 months ago
FUCK HE'S AMAZING!
secretme127 2 years ago 3
Kumakawa has to be the most brilliant golden/bronze idol of all time. And I like this version staged by Makarova eliminating the children in blackface as golliwogs. Saw the Bolshoi's version last night with kids from SF ballet who wore black tights and black long-sleeved leotards under their dresses but, thankfully, no blackface or curly wigs.
trondergirl 2 years ago 7
@trondergirl The Russian idol variation is really bad taste. Makarova has created the best version of La Bayadère.
FredricEric 2 years ago 2
@FredricEric Makarova is a Russian ballerine, so Makarova version is also russian
vinllga 8 months ago
Which only makes for a travesty of a character's appearance design. What would be then the purpose of the black arms and legs...? or the logical explanation for the face/limbs mismatch ? Vitiligo...? If they're afraid of the racial debate, they should just have eliminated the leotards and tights along with the face makeup...or even better...erase the characters. On the contrary, if they want to present a historically acurate/restored version, as this was intended...then go and do it right.
cubanmiamiboy 2 years ago
I saw this particular production with Bussell in the lead role. Kumakawa as the Golden Idol was a revelation. An exhilarating live performance that still gives me chills.
Thank you for posting this - it brings back so many wonderful memories!
yobaachan 4 years ago 8
Does anyone know of a copy of the performance of "La Bayadere" , performed and directed by Makarova, in 1980 at the ABT??? I would so appreciate it, Thanks.
VJCZAJA 4 years ago
fantastıc boy..
burakserkancebeci 4 years ago
Comment removed
mrlopez2681 4 years ago 2
Thank you for info.
bububu121 2 years ago
That was wonderful!!
ecj177 4 years ago
BEST bronze idol ever in ballet history...if misha didnt dance it, that is...even better than Herman Cornejo, who everyone raves about these ays.
terrylovesu 4 years ago 2
Yes, he's good, but no WAY is he better than Cornejo. Have you seen the guy live? He's AMAZING. He's the next Misha.
MorganoftheFaeries 4 years ago
He is one of the best
danielgwatkin 4 years ago 2
Fantastic perf but the stage was too dark
Amarventris 5 years ago 2
wonderful
freebird2021 5 years ago 2
Amazing! I like Tetsuya Kumakawa!!!
bolloev 5 years ago
wow... hes good
mochabubble 5 years ago