ballet explained: la bayadère, act II

Act II of our story opens in Solor’s tent. A flautist and Magedaveya are trying to cheer a grief stricken Solor, with little success. Solor is inconsolable – gnawed by remorse and wondering just how long it will take for the flautist to get tired. Of course, it’s hard to feel sorry for Solor when you remember that he promised to marry two women, and then let one of those women kill the other.

When the flautist begins a set of jazz standards, Magedaveya decides to take things into his own hands. He encourages Solor to suck on a hookah of opium, because the dream stick can fix just about anything – even breathy flute music. As Solor falls into a drug-enduced haze, the flautist and Magedaveya slip out as quietly as possible.

Solor sinks into a world of dreams. In his euphoric state he has a vision of shades (or spirits) in the moonlit peaks of the Himalayas. He imagines he is in The Kingdom of the Shades, and watches as the spirits descend from the summit without using a single safety harness or grappling hook.

Once they’ve arrived at base camp, the shades begin to dance. In his continued dream state (let’s just say it: he’s ripped on the joy plant), Solor imagines he has reconciled with Nikiya among the spirits of the other bayadères. They dance with one another, rekindling their love. It’s as if Nikiya has forgotten that Solor left her doing the death flop at a party just a few hours ago. (Dream on, Solor. Dream on.)

The shades continue to dance, because ballets are usually two hours long and people want their money’s worth. So, lots of dancing here. And just when you think all the dancing is done, Solor and Nikiya dance with a really long scarf. The scarf is supposed to be some sort of connection between the metaphysical world and Solor’s reality. It’s also a tripping hazard.

After everyone has had their fair share of stage time, Magedaveya wakes Solor up. The fakir and a bunch of other dudes are there to get Solor ready for his wedding. Solor is hung over and grouchy, and doesn’t want to put on his itchy dress clothes. Alas, he must prepare to marry Gamzatti, for it is now their wedding day.

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la bayadère | trailer | prefatory remarks | part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4 | part 5 |