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Rudolph Nureyev - Prince's Variation + Bluebird Solo and PDD ['Sleeping Beauty' 1961]

Rudolph Nureyev loved to dance both the Prince's variation and the Bluebird solo and pas de duex in 'The Sleeping Beauty' and continued to do keep both roles in his repertoire even for a time after he defected to the West in 1961.

This is (poor quality amateur) film of the great Russian star performing both these roles with the Grand Ballet du Marquis de Cuevas in 1961 just after his arrival - first, the Prince's Variation on 23 June and then, the Bluebird Solo and pas de duex on 30 June.

His partner is Nina Vyroubova.

The voices overs are a bit fragmented by my cuts of the original footage and so at times their meaning is somewhat incomprehensible.

For example, when Pierre Lacotte says Nureyev had no shoes or tights for the first Paris performance, we immediately think of those dreams where we go to work and realise we've forgotten to don trousers or a skirt. Of course what was said next, and cut out, is that the French dancer informs us lent Nureyev some gear of his own.

And when Lacotte says Nureyev couldn't hear the music what is missing is that KGB agents in the audience were making a great deal of noise and supporters noisily opposing them.

Enjoy!