Riot at the Rite (2005)

Drama History

In the spring of 1913, Parisian businessman Gabriel Astruc opens a new theater on the Champs Elysées. The first performance is the premiere of Igor Stravinsky's 'The Rite of Spring', danced by the Ballet Russes. The rehearsal process is extremely fraught: the orchestra dislike Stravinsky's harsh, atonal music; the dancers dislike the 'ugly' choreography of Vaslav Nijinsky. The volatile, bisexual Nijinsky is in a strained relationship with the much older Sergei Diaghilev, the Ballet Russes' charismatic but manipulative impresario. Public expectation is extremely high after Nijinsky's success in 'L'apres-midi d'un faune'. Finally, 'The Rite of Spring' premieres to a gossip-loving, febrile, fashion-conscious Parisian audience sharply divided as to its merits.

Updated May 9 2020

Releases:

US -

2005-10-18

MoreLess Releases

Keywords:

paris, france dance 1910s ballett

FACTS

Runtime: 90 mins Rating: 9.0

Cast

Alex Jennings

Frederick Lindemann

Rachael Stirling

Anna

Andre Schneider

Policeman

Adam Garcia

Stu

Emma Pierson

Griff Rhys Jones

Jonathan Aris

Ian

Christian McKay

Roger Penrose