★★★✰✰ At the end of the evening was what you might call the blockbuster piece of the tour - 30 minutes of Matthew Bourne in the form of Act II of his "Highland Fling". Bourne's take on "La Sylphide" is a wonderful piece of work, full of wit, style and pathos...
Tag - Northern Ballet Theatre
★★★✰✰ Veldman sure knows how to pick all the right ingredients for a dance show - but they really need presenting in a less cryptic way than they are here. But do go to see great contemporary dancers and a great violinist strut their stuff and enjoy it for that...
David Drew, for 56 years a member of The Royal Ballet, has died after a long battle with illness. He described himself as one of a ‘bridge generation’ of dancers. The longevity of his career meant that he worked with many figures from the Ballets Russees – but also taught many dancers and choreographers working today.
Gillian Lynne has made Helpmann and Benthall's wartime collaboration into a gutsy dramatic ballet, probably with more choreography than Helpmann attempted.
Batley's Dracula is a towering presence, subtly portraying the torment between evil and desire; the seducer and the seduced.
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.