The Daily Yomiuri Online today posted, in its Arts Weekend section, a feature on the forthcoming Pink Floyd Ballet, choreographed by Roland Petit. Here's an extract:

It's now been 30 years since the piece debuted, and the idea of avant-garde ballet is nowhere near as shocking. The question then becomes, is this piece still relevant? The answer is "yes" if Petit has anything to say about it.

At a press conference held late last month, he said: "I arrived here on Monday and went straight from the airport to the rehearsal space. Looking at the corps de ballet of over 50 dancers practicing, I, as a member of the audience, got goose bumps just looking at the level of their concentration and their flawless movements. All at once, it reminded me of what a great piece Pink Floyd Ballet is."

As the creator of the piece, one would think Petit would naturally be attached to it. But Petit, a notorious perfectionist, admitted he has no difficulty dismissing those pieces he feels are not worth keeping in his repertory. The fact that Pink Floyd Ballet is one of few pieces that Petit keeps directing time and time again is testament to its relevancy.

"When I was approached to do Pink Floyd Ballet in Japan again, I thought, maybe it might seem too dated," he said. "But this piece hasn't dated a bit. I'll tell you why: I've created lots and lots and lots of ballet pieces and the ones that have still survived to this day are the ones with the best music."

Petit was introduced to Pink Floyd by his young daughter, who begged him to listen to one of their albums. He was so impressed that he flew all the way to London to negotiate with the band to create a ballet production. The initial result was like a double-billing of a ballet performance and a rock concert, as the actual band played behind the dancers. Now, unfortunately, the music--which includes famous tunes like "Money" and "Hey You" as well as lesser-known songs--is played off a tape.

Petit's "Pink Floyd Ballet" will be performed on February 7th at 3pm and 7pm, and February 8th at 1pm at the NHK Hall, near JR Harajuku Station in Tokyo. The full text of the interview and article can be read here...