Olivia Dow takes Maltese ballet into another dimension
(taken from 'The Sunday Times', August 13th, 2000)

The performance, when it finally materialised, was another resounding success.

After weeks of preparation for the staging of Olivia Dow's fifth original Maltese ballet, Mermaids from the Blue Lagoon proved an extravaganza of sparkling colourful and atmospheric beauty with brilliant costumes, lighting effects and music, truly original and entertaining.
Music ranged from classical to pop, which also saw four 10-year-olds doing a Can Can underwater in an Ultra Violet scene.

This ballet was a truly contemporary - in fact, futuristic - rendition, an example, possibly, of what Ms Dow has in mind for her remarkable students when they reach the pinnacle of their career, when they qualify at an advanced level and go out into the theatrical world.

And with the discipline that Ms Dow adopts in the execution of the 'enhancements' and variations, which are now becoming more complicated but more beautiful and effective, these hard working, dedicated young performers have a chance to become classical dancers with talent, ability and proper skills.

The cast of Mermaids from the Blue Lagoon, all between the years of three and 16-year-old (Marama Corlett, who led the lovely sea urchins, is the only 16-year old attending Ms Dow's school and who is now her assistant) were well synchronised and danced with their soul - and it was evident.

This ballet was Malta's message to the world to hopefully inaugurate a fresh start with a real determination to keep our seas free from toxic waste and pollution and most importantly to preserve life in the oceans, rivers, seas and lakes.

The story that John Baldacchino wrote and put to music by Mro Joe Brown captured every little detail of Baldacchino's highly imaginative resolve.

Ms Dow's choreography was an array of 'out of this world' splendour - another original production, with a stage set by Charles Axisa for another hit for Ballet Russe de Malte.

The turtles and frogs, the ten talental orphans, the four sea urchins, the stingrays, led by Martina Zammit, the feather stars doubling as bees, and the flying fish doubling as butterflies were absolutely great.

And the scene where special guest artist 12-year old Brendan Borg, a TV personality in the role of the monk, was 'attacked' by a swarm of bees and then saved by the butterflies was hilarious, sweet and tickled the audience enabling them to breathe again. The folkloristic touch in the scene of summertime with classical/character steps enhanced the spirit of the Maltese folk dances as Olivia Dow imagined them 200 years ago!

The mermaids, played by Davinia Mifsud aged 12, Glorianne Parnis, 13 and Olga Malikova, who has just turned 14 were very good 'en pointe' doubling also as fisher-folk which meant they were on the stage all the time but the spectator did not realise this.

The 10-year-olds who played the Octupus, Larisa Mirela Bonello, Annalise Zammit, Marianna Dogum and Rita Bonello (who will be 10 this October) amazed everyone with their technique 'en pointe' and their execution of the underwater Can Can, as the Octopus lost two of her tentacles on one side and the other two on the other.

The underwater scene which lasted at least 15 minutes was one of the most original scenes. The four 'orphans' were taken to the bottom of the lagoon where they were greeted by the mermaids amid the corals - it was a colourful kaleidoscope of UV-costumed marine creatures which came to life to the sonata. The bubbly effect was provided by Anton Borg Olivier's lighting effects under the capable direction of John Baldacchino.

Ole, the Spanish sea slugs came out dancing by themselves, then picked up by the three mermaids and wrapped around their waist.

The Director of Culture Josph J. Mifsud presented Ms Dow and her pupils with a trophy to mark the staging of Mermaids from the Blue Lagoon, and presented the pupils with certificates and medals.

Environment Minister Francis Zammit Dimech also presented Ms Dow and her pupils with a commemorative trophy of appreciation and awards to Joseph Buttigieg, manager of Sir Temi Zammit Hall, Anton Borg Olivier of Nexos, photographer Peter Bartolo Parnis, Paul Parker and Jean Pierre Gatt, filming directors.

Also one to Manolito, set designer Charles Axisa, John Baldacchino and Mro Joe Brown. Russian Charge d'Affairs Valery Sorokin also honoured Ms Dow, who is currently accepting enquiries for enrolment and registrations for the new term which starts shortly.

Children from the age of 3 may apply & join the school with a strong possibility of taking part in a New Original Ballet at the end of each year. To make an appointment tel/fax: 583368.

Olivia Dow School of Russian Ballet
Leli Falzon Street, Naxxar, Malta.
Tel: 2158 3368, 2142 2592.
Fax: 2158 3368
Mobile: 9947 4127
email: news@oliviadow.com

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