Three Ballets by Kenneth MacMillan: Elite Syncopations, The Judas Tree, Concerto [Video]

The Royal Ballet's signature style gestated and evolved over the course of many years, and was shaped by numerous choreographers. But few left as much of an enduring impact as Kenneth MacMillan (1929-92), who used the dance milieu to create bold, provocative personal visions onstage. This box set celebrates MacMillan's influence and legacy, with three very different productions done over a 26 year period. It begins with the 1974 +Elite Syncopations, a colorful and jocular piece set to the languorous rhythms of American ragtime, that stars Mara Galeazzi, Sarah Lamb, Valeri Hristov and Steven McRae. The second production in the set, 1992's +The Judas Tree, weaves a tragedy of classical proportions in its recounting of a woman who meets a grisly fate from 13 men; it stars Leanne Benjamin, Carlos Acosta and Edward Watson. Finally, the 1966 +Concerto constitutes an abstract work set to the music of Dmitry Shostakovich. It co-stars Steven McRae, Yuhui Choe and Marianela Nuñez.