From the Mailbox: ‘Exemplary ambassadors for their country’
The photo of Ballet Manila’s Gerardo Francisco appears on a poster at one of the festival venues where the company performed in 2004. Photo from the Ballet Manila Archives collection
Performing artists love the immediate response shown by audiences through applause and cheers. But they appreciate it just as much when they get feedback even after the curtains have gone down. This is certainly true for Ballet Manila dancers, management and staff who have received their fair share of heartwarming comments from a grateful public over the years. In this series, the Ballet Manila Archives will feature from its collection the reactions – handwritten, typed, published in newspapers or even posted on social media – of viewers towards the company after watching its shows.
It was a recommendation letter the artistic director of the Aberdeen International Youth Festival was only too happy to write. A few months before, in August 2004, Ballet Manila had participated in the 24th edition of the performing arts festival, one of Scotland’s major international cultural events. Judging from Stephen Stenning’s glowing words below, it was a worthwhile visit that left an indelible impression on organizers:
Ballet Manila co-artistic director Osias Barroso (front row, second from right) and the company’s male dancers prepare for a “parade of nations” for the festival’s opening night. Photo from the Ballet Manila Archives collection
13 January 2005
Dear Sirs,
I have been asked to submit a few words of recommendation on behalf of Ballet Manila in advance of their forthcoming tour of the United States and am happy to do so.
The Festival had the honour of working with Ballet Manila when they attended the 2004 Aberdeen International Youth Festival, which took place 4-14th August.
Aberdeen International Youth Festival artistic director Stephen Stenning writes of Ballet Manila’s artistic merits and its professionalism. Scanned letter from the Ballet Manila Archives collection
During their time at the Festival Ballet Manila performed a spectacular and hugely successful sell out solo show at Aberdeen Arts Centre, as well as performing major roles in sell out Gala shows at Aberdeen’s His Majesty’s Theatre Hilton, and 1200 capacity Exhibition and Conference Centre.
Ballet Manila showed themselves to be a tremendously organized company administratively in advance of their visit, communicating openly and freely with all required information when requested. Artistically their young dancers showed an unwavering commitment to excellence, and displayed an exceptional professionalism throughout their time with us, performing imaginative pieces of great quality and craft, which were enthusiastically received by Festival audiences.
In light of the above, Ballet Manila proved themselves to be exemplary ambassadors for their country and were a joy to work with. Hence we would have no hesitation in recommending them as a company.
Regards,
Stephen Stenning
Artistic Director
Ballet Manila treasurer Susan Macuja (front row, leftmost) joins the group’s female dancers for the opening ceremony of the Aberdeen International Youth Festival. Photo from the Ballet Manila Archives collection
