TODES to Greet Fans at Walkerhill Theater
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
The Walkerhill Theater brings the exhilarating dance performance ``Todes'' for an open run starting this month.
Todes is the name of a popular dance show from Russia, and also the troupe that performs it. Formed in 1986 by noted Russian choreographer and producer Alla Duhova, the famous dance work is being performed in Korea for the first time.
The distinctive feature of the performance is that it is a combined work of break dancing and ballet. At the age of 19, Duhova managed to unite two dance groups into one: male break-dancers from St. Petersburg and ballerinas from her hometown of Riga in Latvia. After numerous tryouts, the first collaboration started in 1987 and since then, the unique dance form was known as the TODES ballet, and has since traveled around the world.
TODES starts with an ensemble of ballerinas dressed in white, dancing to the elegant melodies from the ballet ``Swan Lake.'' Suddenly, the male dancers dressed in black surprise the audience with a powerful hip-hop dance number. A total of 17 different dance forms will be presented in the work, including a number of conflicting couples, a seductive and sexy sequence from the world-famous musical ``Chicago,'' an energetic performance of the Spanish gypsy dance flamenco, and also a powerful military dance performed by the male dancers dressed in dark suits.
According to Walkerhill Theater, the performance will easily connect with the audience, presenting various forms and structures of dance, complete with colorful costumes, music and stage settings.
``The dances in TODES contain the basic instincts of human beings such as love, jealousy, good fortune and anticipation, hence making it not only entertaining, but receptive as well,'' Walkerhill Theater said in a statement.
Duhova also expressed the devotion and love put into the performance, and was quoted as saying, ``Dance should doubtlessly evoke positive emotions,'' and that TODES will certainly do so during its stay.
Duhova is one of the most famous choreographers in Russia, having worked on the silver medal-winning choreography of ice skaters Marina Anissina and Gwendal Peizerat at the 1986 France Winter Olympics. TODES has also been recognized as the ``Russian Extravaganza'' among fans, while the talented dancers in the troupe have had vast experience in the dance industry, working with some of the best-known singers and entertainers in the world, including Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey and Ricky Martin.
The dance work TODES will continue for the time being as an open run at the Walkerhill Theater located at the Sheraton Grande Walkerhill Hotel. Tickets cost from 70,000 to 90,000 won. The hotel also offers special tickets that include a wine set and dinner. These cost from 130,000 to 300,000 won. For more information, visit www.sheratonwalkerhill.com or call (02) 455-5000.