Royal Ballet of Cambodia to perform at Music Hall

Oakland Press | 14 October 2014

Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts brings The Royal Ballet Of Cambodia to perform at 8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014. Photo courtesy of the Music Hall Center

If you go

• The Royal Ballet Of Cambodia
• 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6
• Jazz Café and Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts
• 350 Madison, Detroit
• Tickets are $50, $40, $30 at the box office
• www.ticketmaster.com, www.startickets.com
• 313-887-8501, www.musichall.org

Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts brings The Royal Ballet Of Cambodia for one performance at 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6.

The classical Khmer dancers traditionally would perform to convey the kings’ messages to the gods and to the ancestors. An orchestra accompanies the dance, and a female chorus provides a running commentary on the plot of the ballet, highlighting the emotions mimed by the dancers.

Renowned for its graceful hand gestures and stunning costumes, the Royal Ballet of Cambodia has been recognized by UNESCO for carrying on the 1,000-year-old Khmer classical dance style, which was performed at royal events and ceremonies. The dancers spend years mastering the gestures and poses of Khmer classical dance, which evoke the range of human emotions.

The ballet is infused with sacred and symbolic roles, embodying the traditional values of refinement, respect and spirituality. It preserves legends associated with the origins of the Khmer people, and so Cambodians esteem this tradition as the emblem of Khmer culture.

Four character types exist in the classical repertory: Neang the woman, Neayrong the man, Yeak the giant and Sva the monkey. Each possesses distinctive colors, costumes, makeup and masks.

The Royal Ballet was nearly destroyed during the repressive rule of the Khmer Rouge, who sought to destroy Cambodian culture through genocide. The Communist leaders eliminated almost all master dancers and musicians, but dance troupes re-emerged after Pol Pot’s defeat in 1979, and performances of the ancient repertory resumed. 

The ballet has regained much of its former splendor but still struggles with a lack of funding and suitable performance spaces. Competition from modern media increases the risk of that the ballet could become a mere tourist attraction.