Doctor Bat (Die Fledermaus) (Act 2: Boudoir Pas de Deux) [1961, Chicago, Civic Opera House] - Mephistophela (Act 1: Obertass) [1963?, Chicago, Civic Opera House]
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This film contains rehearsals of scenes from two Ruth Page ballets. The first half represents a pas de deux from Act II of her 1961 ballet Dr. Bat (Die Fledermaus) and the second half represents an obertass (a lively Polish circle dance in triple time) from Act I of her 1963 ballet Mephistophela. Both rehearsals are conducted in practice clothes and without scenery at the Chicago Civic Opera House. Notably, the pas be deux in Rosalina Eiseinstein's boudoir includes different choreography from that recorded in an earlier rehearsal of the ballet in 1960 (included in this collection; see "Dr. Bat (Die Fledemaus) [1960, Chicago, Civic Opera House]"). It is unclear whether this pas de deux is a dance between troublemaker Gabriel von Eisenstein and his wife, or their maid, Adele, and valet, Otto; it is danced by Patricia Klekovic and Kenneth Johnson.
Credits
Ruth Page (choreographer); Patricia Klekovic (performer); Kenneth Johnson (performer)
Complete catalog record
Cfa collection: Ruth Page Collection
Notes: The film opens with a view of a stage containing spare prop furniture representing a boudoir. At the boudoir sits a man, with a woman in his lap. The two immediately stand up and perform a loving pas de deux, including several lifts. They complete the dance back at the boudoir, with her seated on the chair and him at her feet; they embrace and hold this pose until the camera cuts to the second rehearsal. After the cut, the film presents a view of the same stage, full of dancers, most of whom are wearing character shoes, performing a sort of circular mazurka. They then split off into couples and dance a highly syncopated pas de deux (still mazurka-like; a modified minuet, perhaps) as an ensemble. Next, a central couple enters (presumably Faust and Mephistophela) and leads the group, after which they perform alone before the rest: they demonstrate particular speed and agility. Faust then hoists Mephistophela upon his shoulders and the group circles them in an obertass. Finally, the group splits into rows, dancing in place while Faust and Mephistophela weave among them and land in front for their final pose. All hold the final pose for a moment and then 'break' and begin to mill about; the film ends there.
Subjects: Dance
Places: North America > United States > Illinois > Chicago
Language: English
Cfa elements: Print, 100 feet
Cfa records: https://collections.chicagofilmarchives.org/Detail/objects/8726
Notes: The film opens with a view of a stage containing spare prop furniture representing a boudoir. At the boudoir sits a man, with a woman in his lap. The two immediately stand up and perform a loving pas de deux, including several lifts. They complete the dance back at the boudoir, with her seated on the chair and him at her feet; they embrace and hold this pose until the camera cuts to the second rehearsal. After the cut, the film presents a view of the same stage, full of dancers, most of whom are wearing character shoes, performing a sort of circular mazurka. They then split off into couples and dance a highly syncopated pas de deux (still mazurka-like; a modified minuet, perhaps) as an ensemble. Next, a central couple enters (presumably Faust and Mephistophela) and leads the group, after which they perform alone before the rest: they demonstrate particular speed and agility. Faust then hoists Mephistophela upon his shoulders and the group circles them in an obertass. Finally, the group splits into rows, dancing in place while Faust and Mephistophela weave among them and land in front for their final pose. All hold the final pose for a moment and then 'break' and begin to mill about; the film ends there.
Subjects: Dance
Places: North America > United States > Illinois > Chicago
Language: English
Cfa elements: Print, 100 feet
Cfa records: https://collections.chicagofilmarchives.org/Detail/objects/8726
Sources
- Chicago Film Archives · record ↗ — title, year, length, format, color, sound, genre, description, credits, catalog record, video
Record added 2026-11-08 21:25:11