One of the world's most highly acclaimed classical ballet companies returns to Bangkok tonight for its second visit in two years. In October 2004, Stuttgart Ballet's "Romeo and Juliet" raised the roof at the Thailand Cultural Centre.

Last weekend, the company of 67 dancers from 28 nations was in Singapore to perform three shows of Shakespeare's romantic tragedy, as adapted by their founder John Cranko.

Initially, a traditional performance of "Giselle" had been planned for the Thai leg of the tour. Things have changed, though, and instead, Bangkok will see a much more modern programme.

"'Giselle' is 'Giselle'. Lots of people do it," says artistic director Reid Anderson.

"For us to show our more modern side is unusual when we go overseas - usually we do full-length story ballets.

"This programme is very interesting because it shows a completely different side of the company."

The programme for Bangkok kicks off with Italian choreographer Mauro Bigonzetti's "Kazimir's Colours", an energetic symphonic ballet set to Dmitri Shostakovich's "Concerto for Piano, Trumpet and Orchestra" and inspired by Kazimir Malevich's abstract paintings.

Second on the bill is an ultramodern pas de deux: "Mono Lisa" by Israeli choreographer Itzik Galili. This is followed by "Skew-Whiff", an ironic, humorous piece by Nederlands Dans Theatre's Paul Lightfoot and Sol Leon.

Finally, Uwe Scholz's "Seventh Symphony", set to the music of Beethoven and with a vivid set and costumes inspired by Morris Louis's "Beta Kappa", will bring the programme to a close.

"These are, I think, four very strong pieces," says Anderson. "My administrative manager Ingrid Bruy said to me on the plane from Singapore, 'Oh, I can't wait to see this programme.' We haven't performed it at all this season - we put it together just for here. The pieces are very theatrical, they'll grab the attention.

"Also, they're very accessible for normal members of the public - they're not scary. Okay, they're abstract. But abstract ballets, like abstract paintings, have a lot to say."

Apart from its excellence in classical techniques, Stuttgart Ballet is renowned as a nurturing ground for new works. Over the past 10 seasons under the artistic directorship of Reid Anderson, they have had 50 world premieres. The programme for Bangkok reflects this willingness to experiment with dance.

"Three of the ballets ['Kazimir's Colours', 1996; 'Mono Lisa', 2003; 'Seventh Symphony', 1991] were created for us. 'Mono Lisa' was created especially for the two dancers performing in Bangkok [Canadian Jason Reilly, and Spaniard Alicia Amatriain, both winners of the German dance prize Future last year]. The choreographer wants to leave it with them like a little homage. When you see it, you'll see why: What they do is quite extraordinary.

"It's the kind of programme where you can showcase the many different dancers, nuances and flavours of the company. Technically, it's much more challenging for the whole company than some full-length ballets.

"All the ballets [in this programme] are very pared down. It's all about what the dancers are able to do with their bodies. I think it's also fabulous for the public: It can be very exciting to see people move in ways that are not possible for you."

Anderson explains that the line between ballet and modern dance is blurred now. "Glen Tetley [former artistic director of the Stuttgart Ballet] is one of the first - if not the first -

performers to cross the boundary. He started to mix classical ballet techniques with modern dance movements. And now, of course, the whole world has changed because of that."

As for the Stuttgart Ballet's next trip to Bangkok, which we're certain will take place soon, Anderson has a few possibilities in his mind.

"I'd like to do Cranko's 'Taming of the Shrew', because it's a completely different ballet from 'Romeo'. Also, his 'Onegin' is absolutely extraordinary, and would look really good in this theatre.

"On the other hand, we have a drop-dead version of 'Sleeping Beauty' from [world renowned Brazilian ballerina and another former artistic director] Marcia Haydee."

"Stuttgart Ballet at its Best" is on show at Thailand Cultural Centre tonight and tomorrow at 8pm. Tickets cost Bt4,500, Bt3,500, Bt2,500 and B1,500 and are available at Thaiticketmaster and at the door. Visit www.stuttgart-ballet.de, www.amithailand.com or call (02) 662 1836.

Special thanks to Manatsanan Viengpetthong, who helped to facilitate this interview.

The writer can be contacted at Pawit.M@chula.ac.th.

Pawit Mahasarinand

The Nation