Set or no set, the show goes on

The Moscow Stanislavsky Ballet was preparing Friday to open a three-performance run of “Giselle” at the Kodak Theatre with no sets.

The company brought with it traditional lavish scenery for the two-act ballet, but artistic director Dimitry Bryantsev said Friday that it would be traded for a bare stage because, according to Alfred Hernandez, assistant fire marshal for the city of Los Angeles, the “Giselle” sets did not pass a field test for flame proofing.

The Russian ballet company, which performed “Swan Lake” at the Kodak earlier this week, was refusing to pay for the scenery to be treated with sufficient fire retardant to meet state codes. A company spokesman estimated that cost at $40,000.

Said Bryantsev through a spokesman: “We came to America to satisfy the American people, and we will dance for them. Even without decoration, they will see our art.”