The Making of A World Premiere

The Sarasota Ballet’s World Premiere of Sir David Bintley’s A Comedy of Errors represented not only an important milestone for the Company, but also the culmination of years of work, inspiration, and collaboration. The seeds of this premiere were planted several years before Bintley had even considered The Sarasota Ballet as a possible home for his project. However in 2020 during a visit to Sarasota, he found inspiration in The Sarasota Ballet’s dancers, their technique, and importantly, their humor.

Translating one of Shakespeare’s most farcical comedies into dance began with establishing the setting and the key moments of the story to be expressed through movement. A modern setting, that of the ‘party’ Island of Ibiza, would ground the story for modern audiences, and a distillation of the Bard’s slapstick and mistaken identity humor would enable Bintley to express this hilarious yet complicated story through movement alone. Starting in September of 2021, Bintley began choreographing the ballet, building some of the key ensemble scenes and the intricate character moments early on. Returning at the start of February 2022, Bintley would spend the next six weeks creating A Comedy of Errors.

Matthew Hindson’s score underpins the entirety of A Comedy of Errors, perfectly partnering Bintley’s choreography and storytelling. Enhancing the comedy while also drawing the audience into the poignant Act II pas de deux was made possible through the intense collaboration between composer and choreographer. Hindson was Bintley’s first partner for the World Premiere, and throughout the pandemic, the two worked feverishly to ensure that every step and every note carried the frenetic comedy forward. One of the most interesting musical moments in Hindson’s score is the Act I finale inside the PARADISE CLUB. Hindson’s composition is entirely original, and yet innately familiar, tricking audiences into attempting to name modern-day musical inspirations.

CAPTIVATING CHOREOGRAPHY

MEMORABLE MUSIC

CONSPICUOUS COSTUMES By setting A Comedy of Errors in present-day Ibiza, designer Dick Bird was freed from the trappings of period dress. However an added layer of complexity was given to Bird’s costume designs, as he would have to provide vital visual cues to ensure audiences understood not only who the two sets of twins were, but also, who their mothers were!

STUNNING SETS The moment audiences stepped into the theater they were greeted with Dick Bird’s remarkable front cloth design, used to set the tone for the upcoming full-length ballet and to frame the projected prologue video that set the scene through the ‘holiday snap shots.’ Much like A Comedy of Errors’ story, Bird’s sets are constantly on the move, rotating and flying, the beautiful and complex scenery transforming from seafront shops and cafés, upmarket condos, to a nightclub. PERTINENT PROPS Props played a significant part in the storytelling and humor of A Comedy of Errors. From Adriana and Erotia’s necklace and the giant inflatable flamingo boat, to the suitcases of the holidaymakers, almost every prop has an important purpose and story behind it!

Originally a birthday present for his mistress, Erotia, this diamond necklace turned out to be double the price when Tony of Ibiza had to give an identical one to his wife.

To complete the Hooligans’ look, the production team had to procure empty beer cans, sombreros, and a pink foam finger.

Along with most of the other larger set pieces, such as Tony’s Bar, the iconic prop cake was made overseas and shipped to Sarasota.