Customer Reviews

Tales of Beatrix Potter

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

This DVD gives the viewer a chance to witness a wonderful mixture of music, ballet, and storyline. For those toddlers and young children who know the stories by Beatrix Potter, the ballet offers a full-body experience of the geography of the fiction. Our daughter loves to try to imitate the very humorous (and presumably difficult) dance of Jemima Puddleduck trying to lay an egg. The entire film itself seems to have been made yesterday--not almost 40 years ago! The sets are fantastic--especially the lilly pads of Jeremy Fisher.

What I like is that the penchant Potter had for creating the fear of being eaten (it is in almost all of her stories) is muted a great deal in these dances. What comes across most clearly to the child is the dance itself, and that is, I would say, as it should be.

I am myself more interested in watching ballet after watching this. And it may just be because this DVD performance can in fact educate children and adults about how to watch dance...but I'll leave that to others to say.

Actually, this is not just the second review of this ballet. There are several. However, they are on other releases of the same ballet.....The Tales of Beatrix Potter (with Dancers of The Royal Ballet).....for instance, has many reviews.

Reviewer Rubel is correct when he says the ballet is lovely and beautiful, and there are many other superlatives which could be used to describe it. It is wonderful for both children and adults, but one learns by reading other reviews, that young children may be a bit frightened by some of the characters, unless they are supervised by a caring adult. Also, children who do not know the animal characters, will probably not enjoy, or even sit through the entire ballet. They need to know the characters, and they need to know what a ballet is. It's a BALLET and NOT a cartoon, to begin with, accompanied by some very good music arranged and conducted by John Lanchbery. I thought I heard some themes of Adolphe Adams from "Giselle", and perhaps a theme of Massenet heard in the ballet "Manon". Yes, good music, and also beautiful photography of English countryside. By the way, my version is in the l6:9 widescreen format. The sound is monaural, however, it is good quality Dolby Digital.

I'm not very familiar with the names of many of Royal Ballet's dancers, but Fredrick Ashton is the Choreographer, and dances the part of the hedgehog Mrs. Tiggywinkle. Lesley Collier, and Michael Coleman, the stars of "La Fille Mal Gardee" (fabulous).....Herold - La Fille Mal Gardee / Collier, Coleman, Shaw, Grant, Ashton, Royal Ballet.....have roles in this ballet. Lesley Collier plays the part of Hunca Munca, but I don't know which character that is. Michael Coleman is especially good as the leapfrog Jeremy Fisher, but all of the dancing by members of the Royal Ballet is superb. The beauty of the ballerina's feet is especially brought out in this ballet, because in their costumes, the feet are all that show.

P.S. I went back and read the names of dancers in La Fille Mal Gardee, and found several names also featured in this ballet. Also, Hunca Munca seems to be the sweetheart of the little mouse Tom Thumb. Very adorable pair.

Even though you may not have children at home, this is a great ballet for adults to own.

This REALLY is neat- super unique. The dancers all have these elaborate, giant headed costumes on, and yet they move so beautifully (esp the frog J. Fisher!) Wow. Fun for anyone who loves the ballet and B. Potter. The costumes and sets are absolutely lovely. Worth every penny. The music is gorgeous. There are some passages that might move too slowly to hold a young child's attention, but overall a very charming performance.

This dvd is a wonderfully visual way of presenting Beatrix Potter's stories through dance and music.
The costumes are perfectly suited to the dancers and so very close to the drawings in her stories. There are no words spoken by the characters, but the dancing and movements say it all. It is best, however, to be familiar with her books so you are able to follow the storyline through the dance.

My granddaughter loved the Tales of Beatrix Potter as a child and the ballet was a special favorite. I ordered it for her for Christmas.

Mackenzie is now a freshman in college where she also takes dance classes. Her love of dancing could perhaps have been inspired by watching the Beatrix Potter Tales so many times a child.

Mackenzie seemed touched that her Mother had remembered how fond she was of this ballet and our family enjoyed watching it together after Christmas.
All of us were enchanted by the animals of the Royal Ballet and their skill in bringing Tales of Beatrix Potter to life.

The most lovely, wonderful, delightful ballet. I purchased it for my young daughter, but watch it often myself.