By Serena Wooten
Instruments of Revelation is an enticing ballet from the innovative mind of creator/composer Victoria Bond, performed by Ballet Chicago. The ballet offers a musical and visual interpretation of a fascinating concept—tarot, specifically three cards from a traditional tarot deck: The Fool, The Magician, and The High Priestess.
When I first heard about the story behind this ballet, I was curious and unsure of what to expect. I’m happy to say that Instruments of Revelation pleasantly surprised me. Both the score and choreography complemented each other perfectly, capturing the essence of each of the three characters: The Fool, lighthearted and playful; The High Priestess, a graceful and ethereal presence; and The Magician, a coy and chaotic figure in his own right. The ballet was simple, enjoyable, and entertaining.
My one issue with this performance is rather minor: I would have loved to see more. This ballet focuses on giving each of its three characters a concise introduction rather than telling a story of conflict. The tarot narrative is a tale of The Fool’s journey (a hero’s journey, if you will), and I feel this would have translated well into a ballet or a play. I would have loved to see Bond’s interpretation of the journey through love, chaos, heartbreak, and triumph.
Overall, I give Instruments of Revelation 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Serena Wooten is an Msc Psychology graduate with a passion for travel, books, and films. She is currently pursuing a career in PR and Communications, and hopes to find her way and make an impact in the world of media and film. Her favorite thing to do is to go to the movies on the weekends or catch the latest MARVEL release on opening night . . . and yes, she does psychologically analyze every character storyline in every film she watches.
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