Three of a Kind: Swept away

They say that good things come in threes and the Ballet Manila Archives wholeheartedly agrees! In this series, we feature three photos or videos with the same theme that celebrates the history of ballet, the company, and its dancers.

Sweeping their way into balletomanes’ hearts are three ballet classics with three things in common: a happy ending, technically challenging choreography – and a beloved cleaning implement. The lowly broom was a favorite prop in La Fille Mal Gardee, Cinderella and Snow White, figuring in scenes that drew much laughter in between the romance.

Choreographed by no less than People’s Artist of Russia Sergey Vikulov, Ballet Manila’s version of the French ballet La Fille Mal Gardee was crafted to highlight the strength of its principal dancers, prima ballerina Lisa Macuja Elizalde and Osias Barroso Jr. It premiered in 2001 and became an instant hit. It was restaged in the 2005 and 2008 seasons.

In this photo from 2005, Lise (Lisa Macuja Elizalde) is seen performing various chores including cleaning the floor while Mother Simone (Jonathan Janolo) does her best to avoid being swept away by the broom. Photo by Ocs Alvarez

The beloved children’s classic, Cinderella, was the first installment of Lisa Macuja Elizalde’s Princess Trilogy. The story of an orphan being mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters, then transforms into a princess and ends up marrying the prince, is the feel-good story that continues to delight children all over the world.

In this scene, the wicked stepmother (soloist John Balagot) forbids Cinderella (principal dancer Abigail Oliveiro) from going to the ball. Instead, she hands the young girl a broom and commands her to sweep the house squeaky clean. Photo by Ian Santos

Snow White is probably the most recognizable princess from a fairy tale. The story of a young woman whose beauty incurs the jealousy and wrath of the Evil Queen has seen so many ballet versions including Ballet Manila’s.

This photo was taken from Lisa Macuja Elizalde’s Snow White from the 2024 Holiday Cheer production. Snow White (principal dancer Shaira Comeros) is puzzled by the shortness of the broomstick which she then proceeds to use to clean a house in the woods that turns out to be the home of the seven dwarves. Photo by Giselle Kasilag