In the heart of St. Petersburg, the Mikhailovsky Theatre—one of the city’s oldest theatres, opened in 1833—invites audiences to enjoy the joyful ballet La Fille mal gardée. This charming pastoral comedy tells the lively story of young lovers Lise and Colas, whose playful romance unfolds through sparkling choreography, humor, and warmth, bringing to the stage the lightness and delight of one of the most beloved ballets in the classical repertoire.
This extraordinary ballet centres around the captivating character of Lise and her dreams of reuniting with her one true love, in spite of her mother’s best efforts to marry her off to their rich, albeit dim-witted neighbour. La fille mal gardée is a buoyant and scintillating ballet with has long captivated audiences with its charm. The Mikhailovsky Theatre’s production features Frederick Ashton’s choreography, regarded as a classic example of British ballet.
Synopsis
Lise, the only daughter of the wealthy widow Simone, is in love with the young farmer Colas, but her mother has more ambitious plans for her daughter’s future.
Act one
Dawn. The arrival of a new day is heralded by a rooster, and the hens also join in. Lise steps out of the house and leaves a ribbon tied in a “love knot” for Colas in the yard. Colas finds the ribbon and takes it. The lovers finally meet, but soon Simone gives her daughter the task of churning butter. Colas hides just in time, and after Simone leaves, he helps Lise with her work. The young people declare their love for each other. Colas leaves. Simone scolds her daughter for not completing her chore, but stops when the wealthy Thomas appears with his son Alain. Lise runs away. Thomas asks for Lise’s hand in marriage for Alan. Lise returns, and Alain clumsily tries to show his affection. Everyone heads to the fields to gather the harvest.
Act two
The harvest is complete. The workers, led by Colas, begin to dance. Lise dances with Alain, but when she sees Colas, it is clear who she likes best. One of the farmers starts to play the flute, and Alain attempts to join in. However, his flute-playing is dreadful, and only the intervention of his father saves him from ridicule. Lise and Colas join the harvesters in a lively dance. Simone also takes part in the merriment. A sudden violent thunderstorm causes widespread panic, and the lovers seize the opportunity to escape....
Act three
Soaked from the rain, mother and daughter return home. They sit down to spin. Simone falls asleep and Lise, convinced that Colas is outside in the yard, tries to steal the key to the door. Simone wakes up and beats a tambourine to stay awake, while Lise dances. But soon Simone falls asleep again. Colas opens the window in the door and reaches out to Lise, who rushes to him joyfully. A knock on the door wakes Simone — it’s the workers bringing the sheaves and asking to be paid. Simone settles the payment, and locking Lise inside, leaves with the workers to offer them refreshments. Thinking she is alone, Lise daydreams about the joys of married life. Colas comes out of his hiding place. Lise is flustered, but soon the young lovers exchange declarations of love again. Simone returns unexpectedly and Lise hurriedly hides Colas in her bedroom. Suspicious that Lise has seen Colas again, Simone locks her in the same bedroom. Thomas arrives with Alain and a notary to draw up the marriage contract. When the contract is signed, Simone hands Alain the key to Lise’s bedroom. But to everyone’s surprise, Lise and Colas come out. The lovers fall to their knees before Simone, begging for forgiveness and her blessing. Realising that her anger is now futile, Simone relents, and to everyone’s delight, blesses Lise and Colas’s union.
Louis Herold "La fille mal gardée" Ballet in 3 acts on the playbill
