Turandot choreographer Andre Prokovsky loves both literature and the theatre. His choreography repertoire includes Alexandre Dumas's Three Musketeers, Dr Zhivago, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet and The Great Gatsby.
"Prokovsky is one of a few contemporary choreographers who work in the purely classical vein and create full-length, narrative ballets," said Zhang Dandan, president and artistic director of Guangzhou Ballet Company.
"He has performed in many roles over the years -- dancer, director, choreographer -- but he has never lost interest in ballet," she added admiringly.
A freelance choreographer since 1978, Prokovsky has jetted from continent to continent, carrying mainly dance videos and notes.
He is based in a village in southern France, not far from Paris, where he was born in 1939 to Russian parents.
But for more than half of every year, he hangs his hat in far-flung places, including the United States, Britain, Russia, Italy, Turkey, Australia, Japan, Africa and China, where he has been commissioned to stage his nine full-length ballets, and choreograph new productions.
"I enjoy my life very much, especially the contrasting places," he said.
Speaking of his ongoing fascination with ballet, he says, "On the one hand, it has to faithfully keep alive the traditions of the great classics. On the other, it has to evolve, and also become open to other influences."
(China Daily December 23, 2002)
