The Pygmalion Effect Tickets

Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow, Russia

Scene 3 from the ballet "The Pygmalion Effect"

Scene 1 from the ballet "The Pygmalion Effect"

Scene 2 from the ballet "The Pygmalion Effect"

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Important Info

Type: Modern Ballet

City: Moscow, Russia

Duration: 2h with 1 interval

Acts: 2

Intervals: 1

Ticket delivery: E-Tickets

E-tickets: Print at home or at the box office of the event if so specified. You will find more information in your booking confirmation email.

Can I choose my seats?

You can only select the category, and not the exact seats.
If you order 2 or 3 tickets: your seats will be next to each other.
If you order 4 or more tickets: your seats will be next to each other, or, if this is not possible, we will provide a combination of groups of seats (at least in pairs, for example 2+2 or 2+3).

Cast

Performers

Choose the date to see the peformers

Overview

The Pygmalion Effect is Boris Eifman’s first endeavour in recent years to work in the genre of comedy or, more accurately, tragicomedy – the form which the choreographer has perfected.

As he once again finds inspiration in the world cultural heritage, Eifman offers his audience a ballet interpretation of the archetypical story of Pygmalion, the sculptor who fell in love with his creation, a statue of a beautiful young woman. In the ballet storyline the role of the tempestuous creator falls to a successful ballroom dancer who resolves to “sculpt” a virtuoso performer from a clumsy common girl. Internal and external transformation of the heroine takes place against the background of music by Johann Strauss the Son. This is the first time in the choreographer’s prolific creative career that he works with the music of the “Waltz King”.

A tireless scholar of human soul, Boris Eifman chose for the title of his new ballet a set phrase used in studies of psychology, where the term “the Pygmalion effect” is defined as a phenomenon whereby expectations influence actuality. Thus, a person will develop self-assurance and achieve success when perceived by another person to have talent.

In this production Eifman presents a comprehensive artistic and philosophical portrayal of a human personality’s remarkable flexibility and ability to undergo unpredicted change in response to set aims and aspirations.

“We are not fully aware of our real capabilities. Human nature is infinitely enigmatic. It is a space for unlimited discoveries.

Each of us possesses creative energy, which gives a human being capacity for personal development. Nonetheless, it is not rare that, to change oneself, a person needs someone else to help unlock dormant potential. By influencing others these architects of human destiny also become subject to metamorphosis.

The ballet The Pygmalion Effect is a choreographic interpretation of the myth about an artist and his creation, a new view on how art and life are intricately intertwined but never one and the same.

The central character of the ballet is an impertinent girl who lives in the slums. When she meets a champion in ballroom dancing, she enters the world of riches and remarkable mastery of performance. Here beauty and deceptive ease of movement are earned by very hard work, while seemingly attractive stage fame is not a safeguard from loneliness. Led by the famous dancer, the heroine embarks on a path of body movement transformation – what initially has been an amusing experiment, ends in a real drama.

The girl’s extraordinary tenacity and her merits previously disguised by overt crudity, as well as her spontaneous infatuation with her teacher and partner, help her develop into a star. But the fateful chasm between poverty and luxury can only be bridged in the world of dance that makes people equal whether they live in a shack or a palace. In real life we cannot escape the vengeful past that stays within us forever.

The miraculous transformation does not make our heroine happy. Harmony is destroyed along with remnants of sweet fantasies. But what is life if not a reverie brought on by the longing for an unattainable dream?..”

Boris Eifman

History

Premiere of this production: 06 February 2019

The Pygmalion Effect is Boris Eifman’s first endeavour in recent years to work in the genre of comedy or, more accurately, tragicomedy – the form which the choreographer has perfected.

Venue Info

Bolshoi Theatre - Moscow
Teatralnaya Square 1

The Bolshoi Theatre is one of the world’s most iconic cultural landmarks, renowned for its grandeur, history, and artistic excellence. Located in the heart of Moscow, this legendary theatre has been home to unforgettable performances of opera and ballet for over two centuries. Its majestic architecture, world-class acoustics, and rich tradition make every event at the Bolshoi a truly unforgettable experience.

On 28 March (17 according to the old style) 1776, Catherine II granted the prosecutor, Prince Pyotr Urusov, the "privilege" of "maintaining" theatre performances of all kinds, including masquerades, balls and other forms of entertainment, for a period of ten years. And it is from this date that Moscow’s Bolshoi Theatre traces its history.

The Bolshoi building, which for many years now has been regarded as one of Moscow’s main sights, was opened on 20 October 1856, on Tsar Alexander II’s coronation day.

On 29 October 2002 the Bolshoi was given a New Stage and it was here it presented its performances during the years the Main Stage was undergoing massive reconstruction and refurbishment.

The reconstruction project lasted from l July 2005 to 28 October 2011. As a result of this reconstruction, many lost features of the historic building were reinstated and, at the same time, it has joined the ranks of most technically equipped theatre buildings in the world.

The Bolshoi Theatre is a symbol of Russia for all time. It was awarded this honor due to the major contribution it made to the history of the Russian performing arts. This history is on-going and today Bolshoi Theatre artists continue to contribute to it many bright pages.

The Bolshoi Ballet and Bolshoi Opera are among the oldest and best known ballet and opera companies in the world. It is by far the world's biggest ballet company, with more than 200 dancers.