Ballet Manila concludes its PRIMA Season this August with a rare full-length staging of Marius Petipa’s timeless classic La Bayadère, bringing together acclaimed international dancers and the Philippines’ premier ballet ensemble at the Aliw Theater.

The production runs on August 14 at 8 p.m. and August 15 and 16 at 5 p.m.

Set in ancient India, La Bayadère follows Nikiya, a temple dancer devoted to her love for Solor, a warrior caught between passion and duty. Their romance takes a tragic turn when Solor becomes entangled with Gamzatti, the rajah’s daughter, while the High Brahmin’s own desire fuels betrayal. The story moves from opulent royal courts and sacred temples to the otherworldly Kingdom of the Shades.

For Ballet Manila founder and artistic director Lisa Macuja Elizalde, the staging carries special significance as it marks the 40th anniversary of her return to the Philippines from Russia, where she became the first foreign soloist of the then-Kirov Ballet, now the Mariinsky Ballet.

Macuja Elizalde considers La Bayadère one of ballet’s great “white ballets,” alongside Giselle and Swan Lake. The Kingdom of the Shades sequence in Act III, in particular, is regarded as one of the art form’s ultimate tests of discipline, precision and ensemble artistry.

“Ballet Manila is the only company in the Philippines with this kind of superior ensemble,” Macuja Elizalde said, expressing confidence in the company’s corps de ballet as it takes on the demanding masterpiece.

Mariinsky stars return to Manila

Leading the production are Mariinsky Ballet stars Renata Shakirova and Kimin Kim, who reunite as Nikiya and Solor after their acclaimed partnership in Ballet Manila’s Don Quixote in 2025.

Shakirova brings an emotional depth to the role of Nikiya, whose journey shifts dramatically from love and hope to tragedy.

“The first act is full of openness and love, but everything changes in Act 2 where it becomes tragic,” she said. “Every part I feel deep inside me. All the emotions of Nikiya, I feel I live through.”

Kim, known for his powerful leaps and technical ability, approaches Solor by placing emotional truth at the heart of his performance.

“Technique is supposed to be there already from the very beginning,” he explained. “I try to make it all look easy, so the technique doesn’t look like work. More important is that I can show emotion and the depth of the character.”

Their partnership is built on mutual trust, allowing the choreography to become an emotional exchange onstage. Shakirova noted that their confidence in each other allows them to perform beyond technique and connect with the characters’ emotions.

A celebration of Ballet Manila’s global stature

For Macuja Elizalde, bringing international artists together with Ballet Manila is part of the company’s continuing growth. She recalled how audiences from countries such as Korea and Germany traveled to Manila for Don Quixote and subsequently praised Ballet Manila alongside leading companies around the world.

For Shakirova, returning to Manila is equally meaningful, citing the warmth of Filipino audiences and the family atmosphere within Ballet Manila. Kim likewise described the company as welcoming, saying he felt as though he had already been dancing with its members for years from his very first rehearsal.

As the PRIMA Season comes to a close, La Bayadère serves as both a showcase of classical ballet at its most demanding and a celebration of Ballet Manila’s ability to collaborate with internationally acclaimed artists.

Audiences can experience the production at the Aliw Theater on August 14 at 8 p.m., and August 15 and 16 at 5 p.m.

For performance schedules and other Ballet Manila events, visit Ballet Manila or TicketWorld.