LA FILLE MAL GARDÉ

Ballet for the whole family. Do you want to have fun with your children in the theatre? Do you want to experience something new? Don’t miss a ballet that combines the beauty and brilliance of dance, a delightful story, acting and a huge dose of humour.

The ballet “The Badly Guarded Girl” (French: La Fille mal gardée) is a comic ballet about love, freedom, and a happy escape from an arranged marriage. It dates back to the late 18th century and is one of the oldest ballets still performed today.

The plot of the ballet in brief:

The main character is Lise, a young girl who is in love with Colas, a young farmer. However, her mother Simone wants Lise to marry the rich but clumsy and stupid Alain, the son of a wealthy landowner.

Despite their mother’s strict supervision, Lise and Colas try to meet, express their love, and long to be together. Their cleverness, love, and the help of their friends eventually help them overcome obstacles and convince their mother that true love is more than wealth.

The ballet, based on situational comedy and parody, will test not only the dancing but also the acting skills of the SND Ballet dancers. Thanks to the simple story, melodious music, played live by the orchestra, and smiles, the title is also suitable for children’s first encounter with ballet.

This classical family ballet began its history in 1789. The current production of the ballet La fille mal gardée, about a widow Simone and her vain endeavour to prevent her daughter’s love for a young farmer, carries the signature of the choreographer Frederick Ashton. The popular comedy ballet title with beautiful pas de deux, big corps de ballet character dances and amusing mise-en-scene returns to the stage of the Slovak National Theatre after thirty years. Ashton’s production, with musical arrangements by John Lanchbery and the original sets by Osbert Lancaster, is one of the most frequently performed productions and is the centrepiece of the repertoire of many of the world’s leading ballet companies.

Frederick Ashton’s choreography is performed courtesy of Jean-Pierre Gasquet. This work is presented with the permission of Boosey & Hawkes Music Publishers Limited on behalf of Oxford University Press.

Venue: Slovak National Theatre, Pribinova Street, Old Town, Slovakia

Performance dates:

Saturday 7. 6. 2025 from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Sunday 8. 6. 2025 from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Sunday 8. 6. 2025 from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Admission: 19 – 50 €

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