Ever since its triumphant premiere in 1960, Frederick Ashton's La Fille mal gardee has been treasured as one of his happiest creations - his artistic tribute to nature, and an expression of his feelings for his beloved Suffolk countryside. Marianela Nunez and Carlos Acosta perfectly portray the young lovers Lise and Colas, determined to thwart the plans of Widow Simone to marry off her wayward daughter to Alain, the simple son of wealthy Farmer Thomas. Osbert Lancaster's colourful, picture-book designs, along with Ferdinand Herold's tuneful score, arranged by John Lanchbery, provide the perfect setting for Ashton's blissfully bucolic ballet, complete with haywain, pony, maypole and ribbons, a cockrel and his chickens and, of course, the famous clog dance, here wonderfully led by William Tuckett as the irascible but lovable Widow Simone.
Marianela Núñez
as Lise
Carlos Acosta
as Colas
Jonathan Howells
as Alain
William Tuckett
as Widow Simone
David Drew
as Thomas
Giacomo Ciriaci
as Cockerel
Gemma Bond
as Hen
Bethany Keating
as Hen
Iohna Loots
as Hen
Natasha Oughtred
as Hen
Christina Arestis
as Lise's Friend
Deirdre Chapman
as Lise's Friend
