New Season, New Artistic Director, New Ballet, New Era(?) --- Day 12/21

Walk: SF Ballet

Distance: 3 miles

So Sf Ballet's 91st season has begun out here and it is definitely not your grandmother's - or mother's or sister's - ballet.  At least today's performance and world premiere of  Mere Mortals wasn't.  

The stage: mostly black, empty except for a huge AI video screen.

The music: Synthesized electronic combined with full orchestra. Very loud aural roller coaster.

The costumes: broad shouldered coats and capes; shiny latex body suits.

The dancing: Full gallop writhing, undulating, spinning, completely in sync with each other and the music for 1 hour, 15 minutes. Simply superb.  Then curtain and home.

The story: Not sure, something to do with Pandora, Prometheus, Hope.

Audience Reactions:  LOTS of standing, clapping, whistling, "Bravos" from the likes of Ciwt.  On the other hand, the man sitting next to Ciwt sat silent, motionless and staring throughout the performance and beyond.  Then still staring straight ahead, stood and said out loud "Well, that's one I'll never see again."