Originally from London, Natasha Rogai has lived in Hong Kong for the past 15 years and is the dance critic of the South China Morning Post, Hong Kong’s leading English language daily newspaper. She writes regularly for The Dancing Times and was a long-time contributor to Balletco. She is Secretary of the Hong Kong Dance Alliance, the local branch of the World Dance Alliance.
Under are the articles written for DanceTabs. Reviews on Balletco
American Ballet Theatre – Hong Kong Arts Festival Season – Hong Kong
The season began with a high-energy mixed bill which showed the company on sparkling form.
Shanghai Ballet – White-Haired Girl – Hong Kong
Ideological qualms aside, White Haired Girl is an odd bird. The choreography is a hybrid between textbook classical vocabulary and Chinese opera, an idea interesting in itself but here executed with a lack of imagination…
City Contemporary Dance Company – The Comedy Of K – Hong Kong
City Contemporary Dance Company’s closing show of 2012 was a welcome revival of Helen Lai’s 2004 The Comedy of K, a seminal work which shows this celebrated choreographer at the height of her powers.
Imperial Ice Stars – The Nutcracker on Ice – Hong Kong
“While this may not be a Nutcracker for those looking for subtlety or sophistication, it’s a fun show designed to thrill adults as well as children.
Tang Shu-Wing Theatre Studio – Thunderstorm – Hong Kong
…an outstanding production which deserves to be seen again.
Rambert Dance Company – Hush, Monolith, Faune, What Wild Ecstasy – Hong Kong
The choice of programme was something of a curate’s egg – disappointingly so in view of the company’s rich repertoire – but two out of the four works were excellent and the dancing was spectacular.
Hong Kong Dance Company – Spring Ritual-Eulogy – Hong Kong
Overall, this thoughtful piece confirms Yang as a choreographer of intelligence and originality. Design, lighting and music are all excellent, as is the dancing from this fine ensemble company.
Bordeaux Opera Ballet – In The Steps Of Petipa and 4 Tendances – Hong Kong
The company brought two contrasting programmes, one classical, In the Steps of Petipa, and one modern, 4 Tendances (Four Tendencies). Of the two, the dancers looked far more at home in the contemporary pieces…
City Contemporary Dance Company – Blind Chance – Hong Kong
Dominic Wong is one of Hong Kong’s more unpredictable choreographers. Each new work he creates seems to explore a new direction and Blind Chance, his latest creation for City Contemporary Dance Company (CCDC), is no exception.
Les Ballets De Monte Carlo – Le Songe – Hong Kong
Anyone who went to Les Ballets de Monte Carlo’s Le Songe, artistic director Jean-Christophe Maillot’s version of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream expecting a family show will have been in for a shock. Packed with graphic sexual imagery from start to finish, this is the kind of production that has small children asking “What are they doing, Mummy?”…
Lyon Opera Ballet – Hong Kong Arts Festival quad bill – Hong Kong
Grosse Fugue by Maguy Marin… Performed with energy by the dancers and received with rapturous applause by some of the audience, this is either genius at work or less fun than watching paint dry, depending on your point of view.
