Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on January 2012

The Tokyo Ballet performs selections by French giant Maurice Béjart, a figure closely associated with the company until his death in 2007. While often panned for his sometimes-gaudy vision of ballet, few deny that Béjart helped drag the art form kicking and screaming into the 20th century. In Japan his commissions for the Tokyo Ballet including The Kabuki and other Japanese-themed works were a major draw. This second of a two-part gala looks at lesser-known pieces like Le Mandarin Merveilleux, a reinterpretation of Béla Bartók’s murder and sex-themed one-act pantomime ballet.

Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, Jan 19-20, 3pm. www.t-bunka.jp/en