: The stage is defined by the iconic blood-red costumes for the Handmaids, designed by Liz Vandal and Marie Chouinard , which stand out against the oppressive, minimalist atmosphere of the Republic of Gilead.
: While abstract, the ballet remains action-driven, making the primary story of Offred and Moira easy to follow as they navigate their forced roles in a patriarchal theonomic state. Artistic Themes & Performance "The Handmaid's Tale" Ballet(2022)
: York has noted that while the four lead women require immense physical stamina, the roles also demand significant emotional endurance to portray the daily anguish and suffering of the Handmaids. : The stage is defined by the iconic
: Lila York’s style for this production is described as angular and bold , prioritizing high stylization and abstraction over the "ethereal" grace typical of classical ballet. : Lila York’s style for this production is
The ballet emphasizes the central message of Atwood’s work—the moral and political wrong of controlling women’s reproductive freedom.