With the company’s work billed as “a comedy ballet of weighty elegance and adorable humour,” the Evgenii

Panfilov Russian State Ballet, or the Big Ballet, offers classical art from non-traditional performers. 16 dancers make up the Big Ballet, and each one weighs over 200 pounds.

Large Ambitions

Under the guidance of Panfilov, in 1994 the Big Ballet began practicing in Perm, a place with rich ballet history. Although the performances of this unusual company are full of humor and comedy, the Big Ballet formed around a serious ambition: the dancers wanted to change perceptions of “beauty” in the world of ballet.

The Big Ballet dancers didn’t aim for professional dance careers–but they still take their training seriously. In fact, with all of the practicing they do, the Big Ballet dancers face an unusual challenge–they begin to drop weight. Although traditional ballet dancers might welcome this effect as they try to keep their weight down, the Big Ballet dancers must maintain a minimum weight. Each dancer must weigh at least 17 stone (over 200 pounds), so the Big Ballet dancers must sometimes increase the amount of food they eat. In March of 2008, the company actually suspended dancer Tatyana Gladkikh for dropping below the 17-stone minimum. After several weeks, she regained weight and took the stage again.

Testimonials to the Untraditional

Some reviews suggest that the Big Ballet doesn’t impress traditional theatergoers and dancers. In an article by ABC news, choreographer Julia Simonne asked, “Do we really need to have Swan Lake performed so badly?”

But ticket sales do show a broad appreciation for the Big Ballet and its message. Audience reviews praise the company’s lighthearted approach to the issue of weight, and this–it seems–is the real appeal of the Big Ballet. Theatergoers don’t watch the Big Ballet to see a transcendent presentation of Swan Lake–audiences watch to see a Swan Lake that finally speaks to them. One reviewer wrote, “What a fabulous group of elegant dancers –a testimony to the grace, fitness and energy of the more traditionally built woman.” In the Big Ballet, audiences see artists that they can embrace.

Catch the Big Ballet

The Big Ballet is on tour now, performing in the United Kingdom through November.

Check out this link to the Big Ballet’s schedule.

Images from Amande-Concerts