If a choreographer takes on the challenge of putting Leo Tolstoy’s novel into a ballet, he risks keeping the viewers stuck in the theater for months if he doesn’t do it right.
Boris Eifman, Russia’s renowned choreographer, chooses to strip the story of Anna Karenina of all secondary plot lines and instead focus only on the main events of Tolstoy’s drama, which revolve around the love triangle of Anna, her husband Karenin, and her lover – Vronsky.
Eifman made a sensational impression by modernizing academic ballet through various unorthodox practices.
In particular, he decided against using point shoes and turning to Pink Floyd and other rock bands for musical accompaniment.
Still pushing boundaries with gusto, Eifman continues to explore human relationships and psychology through movement.
