Bruce Marriott is editor of DanceTabs
Under are the articles written for DanceTabs. Reviews on Balletco
English National Ballet – Choreographics – A Letter to… – London
I hope ENB do lots more short and sweet choreographic initiatives to real audiences. Well done all, great to have a go – now do more.
Scottish Ballet – Highland Fling – Glasgow
A hit with me and I’m so glad it’s a great success in the company’s home and a great calling card for touring. It’s a particularly useful broadening of Scottish Ballet’s repertoire.
The Royal Ballet – Draft Works, Spring 2013 – London
The most unexpectedly delightful piece for me, and one looking rounded and finished in its 10 minutes, came from Mayuri Boonham… She joined Indian and ballet traditions…
ENB2 – My First Cinderella – London
As I say ultimately the kids on the afternoon I was there had a good old time. But I’d like to think that something where the steps assume greater significance will show little people even more of the joy of dance.
Royal Ballet – La Bayadere – London
First thing to say is that it’s a peach of a production, coherent, dramatically satisfying… It still feels fresh and vibrant… The three leads did well… Elsewhere it was a mix of good and ragged steps…
Mikhailovsky Ballet – Don Quixote (Osipova / Vasiliev) & Giselle (Semionova / Matvienko) – London
…the Mikhailovsky put on a wonderful display of classical excellence that we just don’t routinely see in the UK.
Ballet Central – 2013 Tour with Bhuller, Marney, Gable and others – London
While I wasn’t wowed by the closer, as I left I couldn’t stop talking about the Bhuller and Gable and wishing to see major companies put them both on in full. That and the usual thought: Another year, another fine night from Ballet Central – well done all.
Rosie Kay Dance Company – There is Hope – Birmingham
I’ve seen ‘There is Hope’ twice now and want to again – there is so much to unpack. …It’s a beautifully-crafted piece with the band an integral part of the telling – as much as the dancers. It deserves a lot more touring…
Birmingham Royal Ballet – Aladdin – Birmingham
All up, I came out entertained and it’s a piece that will endure. And if all the company can conqueror Act 1 there will be smiling families all the way, I think – smiling at the drama and the movement.
Ballet Black – Egal, Dopamine, One Played Twice, War Letters – London
Of this year’s 4 premieres, 2 very much connected with me and 2 didn’t.
Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace – Midnight Tango – London
The good thing about Midnight Tango is that it doesn’t feel like a production that has been skimped on in any way. …So are these ingredients deployed to good affect? Well I’d hoped for a little more, to be honest
The Place presents – Fresh – London
People talk about wanting to get new and younger audiences in for dance and this was really a great way of achieving it.
Birmingham Royal Ballet – Cinderella – Birmingham
As a young partnership Delia Mathews and Tyrone Singleton really are exceptionally good.
English National Ballet – The Nutcracker, Klimentova and Muntagirov cast – London
….the performance done, Muntagirov was promoted live on stage by new Director Tamara Rojo to the highest rank in the company – Lead Principal. A pleasant surprise, but in fact no surprise at all – it was only ever a question of time.
Julien Cottereau – Imagine Toi – London
…a one-man show from a former Cirque du Soleil clown intrigued for being targeted at the entire family at a time when everybody does Nutcrackers and I’m feeling crackered out. You might well be too, so read on…
Sadler’s Wells – Spring / Summer 2013 Programming
It’s the name of the game that one does not necessarily appreciate all plans (or indeed how they crystallise out in practice) but I have to say that Sadler’s Wells set a benchmark re new work/experiences and for where you want a progressive art to be.
Birmingham Royal Ballet – Take Five, Lyric Pieces, Grosse Fuge – London
Jessica Lang’s Lyric Pieces …is light-as-a-feather work of the utmost good taste – in fact just plain gorgeous.
Rambert Dance Company – Labyrinth of Love, Roses, Dutiful Ducks, Sounddance – London
All up ‘Labyrinth of Love’ is a wonderful creative endeavour, a great looker, but an extra dash of audience accessibility is needed. We go “Wow”, rather than “Wow, I really loved what that had to say”
Birmingham Royal Ballet – Swan Lake (Gittens debut) – Birmingham
Anyway I’d never dream of missing a BRB Lac and usually get up to Birmingham for a matinee – and this time luckily to see Celine Gittens debut as Odette/Odile. There was a lot of hubbub around the performance…
Sasha Waltz and Guests – Continu – London
Waltz is about big ideas in ‘Continu’ but if you don’t pick up on them there is not a lot of choreography to keep you going.
