A ballet inspired by the music of Queen is coming to home video.
Queen + Béjart: Ballet for Life features two programs: a full 1997 performance of the work by the by a Swiss troupe and a documentary about how it was created.
The Ballet for Life performance includes archive footage of Freddie Mercury, choreographer Maurice Béjart, Queen and costume designer Gianni Versace. It was first performed in Paris in January 1997 with Elton John and the three surviving members of Queen, John Deacon, Brian May and Roger Taylor on hand.
Béjart hoped that through Ballet for Life he could bring Freddie Mercury back to life. Breaking with tradition, this is the rare ballet where the audience applauds throughout the show. This is ballet with the dynamics of a rock concert.
The production continues to tour widely, but is captured here at Lausanne, Switzerland's Théâtre Métropole, in June 1997.
Part of the proceeds from the video will be donated to The Mercury Phoenix Trust fighting AIDS worldwide.