Spinning ballets about spiders and other intriguing creatures

Animals have long fascinated choreographers, motivating them to create ballets based on non-human movements. Can they make dancers imbibe the flapping of a bird’s wings, echo the wispy flight of a butterfly or mimic the mating rituals of spiders? At Ballet Manila, they certainly have! Here are five ballet pieces from the Ballet Manila repertoire that delve into a range of unlikely fauna, proving that – in the hands of skilled artists – no subject is too lowly to inspire the most stunning choreographies: 

Arachnida

Agnes Locsin’s choreographic talent and fertile imagination are simultaneously highlighted in Arachnida, one of Ballet Manila’s trademark contemporary pieces often included in its Ballet & Ballads road shows and special productions. After all, she’s interpreting the movements of a pair of mating spiders. The result? A sensual, if not risqué, pas de deux that always commands attention. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag

Corvus

In Corvus, Ballet Manila resident choreographer Gerardo Francisco Jr. studies the crow which is often perceived as a “bad bird” for its black color and sinister look. Fast, aggressive movements set to the music of Hans Zimmer characterize the choreography. Performed with minimal lighting, with the male dancers’ eyes rimmed in black, Corvus comes off as mysterious just like the bird it was named after. Photo by Jojo Mamangun

Velvet Wings

The graceful flight of butterflies, touching upon one flower to another in a home garden, inspired Spanish choreographer David Campos Cantero to craft Velvet Wings. As they move on stage, the dancers reflect the beauty and fragility of the butterflies. While the piece may portray a playful character, it really makes a pitch for environmental awareness and protection so that these winged creatures can survive. Photo by Jojo Mamangun

Kiti-Kiti

Kiti-Kiti stays true to the wildly kinetic nature of the creature is it based on. Just like the mosquito larvae or kiti-kiti, this choreography by Gerardo Francisco Jr. simply doesn’t stay still. It wriggles, it wiggles, it jumps and it tumbles in an exhilarating two-minute exploration of movement. Created as a competition piece, it helped secure the gold for Joshua Enciso at the CCP Ballet Competition in 2018. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag 

Agila

In simulating an eagle through Agila, choreographer Agnes Locsin wanted to channel the bird’s renowned power and might. Agila was commissioned by Ballet Manila as a competition piece in 2003, using the ethnic rhythms of musician Joey Ayala. Gerardo Francisco Jr., who originated the role, describes that sharp, forceful movements were used to convey the strength said to be inherent in the eagle. Photo by Ocs Alvarez