Some words on narrative ballet

I read with genuine excitement Matthew Bourne’s excellent commentary on his fine production “Play Without Words” (“What More Is There to Say?,” April 10). As a ballet choreographer who has been crafting original narrative ballets for most of my career, it was a very welcome sign that concert dance may finally be returning to dramatic story.

My ballet company, De’Ath Ballet, has been quietly producing narrative ballet for some 20 years. . I have often felt that I am operating in an absolute vacuum, and, as Bourne so correctly points out, almost no choreographers attempt it. Production costs are so high in these tough economic times that ballet companies steer away from new narratives in fear of poor box office.

I trust that Bourne’s production will ignite more interest in this most worthy and neglected area of ballet.

Anne De’Ath

Los Angeles