PRODUCTION OF ASHTON’S
LA FILLE MAL GARDÉE
BY THE NATIONAL BALLET OF UKRAINE
The charity Inspiration in Motion is working with the Taras G Shevchenko National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre of Ukraine to introduce Frederick Ashton’s La Fille mal gardée to the repertoire of the National Ballet of Ukraine. The premiere performance took place on 12 June, 2025 and was a great success.
Inspiration In Motion has sponsored the first season of performances and secured performance rights for further seasons. Ivan Putrov, a former principal of The Royal Ballet and an Honorary Artist of Ukraine, initiated and has been the indefatigable driver of the delivery of this project, representing the charity.
Nabuhiro Terada, Director of the National Ballet of Ukraine, said of the premiere: ‘It is with great excitement and joy that we present to you La Fille mal gardée in the choreography by Frederick Ashton — one of the brightest gems of classical ballet. Filled with joy, humour, and warmth, this ballet resonates today with a special sincerity and hope, especially in these challenging times for Ukraine. For us, this is more than just a performance. It is a symbol of support, of light, of solidarity — and of belief in the power of art to unite, to heal and to inspire.’
Jean-Pierre Gasquet, the holder of the choreographic rights who has generously gifted them to the National Ballet of Ukraine, said: ’My respect for the unquenchable spirit of the people of Ukraine is inexpressible in mere words, and their courage in the face of naked tyranny is an inspiration to the entire free world. Ashton’s La Fille mal gardée, his undoubted masterpiece, embodies the joy of life, respect for the natural world, and romantic and filial love. I hope my gift will lift the spirits of the artists and people of Ukraine and happily acquaint them with the poetry of an artistic genius.’
Inspiration In Motion recognises and is grateful for considerable donations, grants and assistance from Mikhail Baryshnikov, the Frederick Ashton Foundation and Friends of Ballet Without Borders without whom this project could not have proceeded. In addition the charity particularly thanks the many involved who have waived fees and given services gratis, particularly the rights holders Jean-Pierre Gasquet and Clare Hastings, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Jean Christophe Lesage and The Royal Ballet.
PROJECTS IN UKRAINE
CORPORATE SPONSOR
Two projects supporting the future of dance in Ukraine were initiated through the charity’s fundraising Dance for Ukraine gala held in February 2024.
The charity is currently exclusively focussed on delivery of these projects.
The full scale war following Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine is well into its third year, and the killing and devastation continues daily. In the face of this, these projects aim, in different ways, to support ballet – an art with a long and respected history and importance in Ukraine – and help the effort to retain and build talent.
Considerable funding is still required to deliver these projects, and we will be grateful for all support.
SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS
SPONSORED BY
This project supports aspiring young dancers in Ukraine to enable them to overcome the difficulties caused by war and pursue their training. Currently the project is in its first phase, distributing dancewear gratis to major dance schools in Ukraine to support students during this difficult time for the country. In this phase we will be collecting data with the intent to follow this up with grants supporting those showing particular promise whose families face financial difficulties.
We have established a partnership with the Ukraine NGO Union of Entrepreneurs Film and Television Industry (Unified State Register 36844356) to distribute dancewear. Schools in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, Poltava and Lviv are participating in the project and dancewear with a retail value of £166,000 is available for their students. Support will only be channelled through schools contacted
Inspiration In Motion is particularly grateful to its sponsor, Ferrexpo, for its generous support for this project, and to Freed Limited of London for donated stock.
‘It will lift the spirits’
Kyiv to stage ‘most English ballet’ after Russian repertoire boycott
On the 9th of June 2025 The Guardian wrote a story on La Fille mal gardée in Kyiv.
Click here to read the story online.
