Ballet
Monotones
If you want to see pure classical ballet stripped down to its serene essence, this is it. Ashton set these hushed trios to dreamy Satie, with dancers in sleek unitards moving like they are floating in space. It is calm, otherworldly, and quietly hypnotic.
Fast facts
- Composer
- Erik Satie
- Choreographer
- Frederick Ashton (Monotones II premiered 1965, Monotones I added 1966)
- Premiere
- 1965, London
- Structure
- One act (two short linked pieces)
- Running time
- About 20 minutes
The story
This is a plotless work in two parts, each a trio for dancers in plain glittering unitards. There is no story at all, just slow, sculptural, perfectly controlled classical dancing that unfolds with a cool, spacey stillness. The mood is meditative and almost celestial, the two trios often described as one earthbound and one lunar.
What Monotones is famous for
- Serene, plotless classical purity
- Erik Satie's dreamy Gymnopedies and Gnossiennes
- Sleek space-age unitards
- Ashton's control and economy of movement
Companies that perform Monotones
Monotones is in the repertoire of companies including The Royal Ballet.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a plot?
No, it is entirely abstract. The appeal is the pure beauty of the dancing and the calm, otherworldly atmosphere.
Why is it called Monotones?
The title nods to the restrained, unified look and feel, with matching costumes and a cool, even mood rather than dramatic contrast.
What is the music?
Orchestrated pieces by Erik Satie, including his famous slow, hypnotic Gymnopedies and Gnossiennes.
Who composed Monotones?
Monotones was composed by Erik Satie.
How long is Monotones?
Monotones runs about 20 minutes.