About the work
La Fille mal gardée (The Wayward Daughter) is one of the oldest ballets to remain in the repertoire; the original version by Jean Dauberval premiered in Bordeaux in 1789, shortly before the French Revolution. The most-performed version today, with music arranged by John Lanchbery, is by Frederick Ashton (1960).
Plot
In the countryside, the young farm girl Lise loves the charming farmhand Colas. Her mother, the resolute widow Simone, has other plans, however: Lise is to marry Alain, the simple-minded son of the wealthy vintner Thomas. With cunning, charm, and the help of the village community, the lovers thwart all the mother's efforts to separate them. After a series of comic entanglements—including a thunderstorm and a hidden lover—Simone finally gives her blessing, and Lise and Colas come together.
Cultural significance
La Fille mal gardée is notable as an early ballet that centres not on gods and nobles but on simple country folk—a forerunner of realistic storytelling in dance. Ashton's version is regarded as a masterpiece of comic ballet, famous for the charming "ribbon dance," the comic travesty role of Widow Simone, and her exuberant clog dance. It is one of the best-loved comic ballets in the repertoire.