Double Fun in Hamburg

People watching the premiere of ''The Seagull'' - ballet based on the play b Chekhov- at the 28th Annual Hamburg Ballet days found it difficult to believe their eyes: the two rival lovers, Triplev and Trigotin, were identical. But this simiarity has a very simple explanation: the dancers are Czech twin brothers Jiri and Otto Bubenicek.

The brothers are not only similar in their appearance but they are also able to move in perfect harmony with each other. '' We can feel each other move '' Jiri explains. ''when we are both on stage'' Otto adds, ''my brother knows that I'll do the next second and I can do the same with him.'' Sometimes, ''Jiri says, '' I think I'm looking into a mirror when I watch Otto.'' There are also some small differences between tha ways in which the brothers dance. Jiri is faster, stronger, and jump higher. Otto moves more smoothly,''like a panther'' as his brother suggests.

The two ''bubis'' are sons of a travelling circus cyclist from prague. They completed their ballet training at the Conservatory in Prague and in 1993 joined the famous Hamburg Ballet group directed by Neumeier. Both of them are now the principal dancers in this group. As actors, they developed in a slightly different way. Otto is more sensitive and silent, and that's maybe often plays more romantic characters. Jiri who is more extroverted and lively, plays black devilish parts.

The wins have never been apart from each other for long. ''We will always stay together,'' Otto declares. As Byron once wrote ' Happiness was bor a twin.''Fort he Bubeniceks-and the people whowatch them on stage- that'sdoubly true.

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