A "Male-Centric" Story Representative of British Ballet

Peter Darrell's "The Tales of Hoffmann," a masterpiece depicting a rich and complex human drama through the romantic entanglements of the protagonist Hoffmann, is a unique work. While most ballet productions prominently feature female leads, "The Tales of Hoffmann" centers on a male protagonist, who also gives the ballet its title. Furthermore, its appeal lies in the high degree of dramatic narrative and the simultaneous enjoyment of diverse ballet styles.

In this work, which strongly emphasizes the theatrical elements characteristic of British ballet, Hoffmann and Lindorf (the embodiment of evil) are each portrayed by a single male dancer. Hoffmann, an elderly man in the prologue, ages sequentially through his twenties, thirties, and forties in each act, returning to his elderly state in the epilogue. Lindorf (the embodiment of evil) also appears throughout the ballet, transforming into a different villain with a different name and role in each act.



Adding color to the stage are the women who captivate Hoffmann. In Act I, it is Olympia; in Act II, Antonia; and in Act III, Giulietta. The partners change with each act, and since all are performed by principal dancers, the opportunity to enjoy three distinct dances and settings is a significant draw.

While each act possesses a distinct character, making it feel like watching three separate ballets, viewing the story in its entirety reveals the poignant sorrow of Hoffmann's life, tossed about by fate and ending in tragedy. The witty choreography, a hallmark of British choreographers, also provides moments of enjoyment throughout.

The fact that Eiko Ohara, who has had a long career as a principal dancer with the Scottish Ballet and is considered "Peter Darrell's muse," is serving as Artistic Director is also a topic of discussion. Ohara has performed all three female roles in "The Tales of Hoffmann" under Darrell's direction and is intimately familiar with his works.

"The Tales of Hoffmann"
Dates | October 30 (Fri) - November 1 (Sun), November 3 (Tue, holiday)
Times | October 30 (Fri) 7:00 PM, October 31 (Sat) 1:00 PM / 6:00 PM, November 1 (Sun) 2:00 PM, November 3 (Tue, holiday) 2:00 PM
Venue | National Theatre Opera Palace
Prices | S: ¥12,960, A: ¥10,800, B: ¥7,560, C: ¥4,320, D: ¥3,240
Artistic Director | Eiko Ohara
Music | Jacques Offenbach
Choreography | Peter Darrell
Set Design | Naotsugu Kawaguchi
Costume Design | Ayako Maeda
Lighting Design | Yuji Sawada
Conductor | Paul Murphy
Orchestra | Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra
Performers | The National Ballet of Japan