Tragic Elegance on Stage: The Lady of the Camellias

Based on the 1848 novel by Alexandre Dumas, we follow Marguerite’s passion for love as she combats an illness. The Lady of Camellias inspired iconic productions such as Moulin Rouge! and Verdi’s opera La Traviata.

The show opens with beautiful antique furniture that set the scene of 19th-century France. Marguerite (played by QI Bingxue) is extremely unwell, and the dancer captures this with heavy and languid movements that convey the severity of her sickness. QI Bingxue expertly contrasts these movements when Marguerite is in better health and charming the men of France. Her movements are meticulous and sharp which signifies the character in her peak before she unwinds throughout the performance. Additionally, the lighting team helps develop the blooming love story by incorporating spotlights that highlight the lovers. As other characters move across the stage this emphasises the shy glances that show the subtlety of falling in love.

The set design encapsulated the period effectively, beginning with beautiful watercolour flowers as a backdrop. These then become covered in water droplets to convey a more sombre mood. The beginning of Act 2 had audience members audibly gasping due to the great mirror placed behind the dancers. This created a unique experience for every guest in the auditorium as they saw a different reflection, cleverly bringing a new element to the piece. The motif of mirrors was utilised multiple times throughout the performance which reminded Marguerite of the reality she was scared to face; behind her wealth or societal status as she still had this sickness looming over her.

As Act 2 takes place she returns dressed in scarlet with red lighting which conveys the lust for her desired Armand but also a more sinister undertone that something has changed since she returned to France. The costume design highlights this character’s turning point as all the other dancers have beautiful gowns with matching pointe shoes, but Marguerite’s do not match. This foreshadows her otherness which is further demonstrated when she is publicly humiliated by Armand.

The piece ends with a revolving video as the backdrop and all the dancers circle the stage which has been emptied of props. As she falls to her death, petals of Camellias bittersweetly fall to commemorate Marguerite. This raw ending reveals her inner turmoil as she sees her life spiral away from her as she succumbs to her illness.