Here are some raunchy recent versions of famous Ballet Russe productions. Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui is a Belgian dancer of Moroccan heritage, with limbs like rubber. He choreographs this version of the Ballet Russe’s L’après–midi d’un faune or ‘Afternoon of the Faun’ – though it sounds way more raunchy in French. The music is Debussy and the dancers are James O’Hara and Daisy Phillips. There’s a great documentary called The Spirit of Diaghilev, which obviously I can’t post here, with four versions of Ballet Russe productions. Incidently, Sidi Larbi’s own choreographed dance pieces are rather ‘chaotic’ for my tastes. As he is a beloved figure on the dance circuit, it’s best to read more than one critic before you go (I like Sanjoy Roy of The Guardian).
