Riot at the Rite

The story

In the spring of 1913, Parisian businessman Gabriel Astruc opens a new theater on the Champs Elysées. The first performance is the premiere of Igor Stravinsky's 'The Rite of Spring', danced by the Ballet Russes. The rehearsal process is extremely fraught: the orchestra dislike Stravinsky's harsh, atonal music; the dancers dislike the 'ugly' choreography of Vaslav Nijinsky. The volatile, bisexual Nijinsky is in a strained relationship with the much older Sergei Diaghilev, the Ballet Russes' charismatic but manipulative impresario. Public expectation is extremely high after Nijinsky's success in 'L'apres-midi d'un faune'. Finally, 'The Rite of Spring' premieres to a gossip-loving, febrile, fashion-conscious Parisian audience sharply divided as to its merits.

Cast & crew

Adam GarciaVaslav Nijinsky

Alex JenningsSergei Diaghilev

Emma PiersonRomola

Griff Rhys JonesAstruc

Jonathan ArisJean Cocteau

Christian McKayPierre Monteux

Richard HopeGrigoriev

Philip Herbert

Philip HerbertAntoine

André SchneiderIvory

Naomi Wattis

Naomi WattisLydia

Peter CopleyPatron

Sara DeeLady Hysteria