Some Memorable Performances of 2019 – New York
I don’t really believe in lists, but it’s admittedly fun to look back over the year and reflect on moments that have stayed with me. So here they are, in no particular order…
Houston Ballet – The Letter V, Come In, Reflections – New York
★★★★★ Houston Ballet is a prime example of what a 21st century ballet company should look like: diverse, dynamic and accomplished.
Book – Dancing Under The Southern Skies: A History of Ballet in Australia – by Valerie Lawson
Although Valerie Lawson’s context is wide-ranging, she brings individuals into focus with personal details, shining a spotlight onto their roles in Australian dance history. Lavishly illustrated with photographs from Australian archives, her book gives vivid life to long-gone personalities.
Carlos Acosta splendidly summed up as he collects his Critics’ Circle Services to the Arts award
I was at the recent Critics’ Circle lunch when Carlos Acosta won his latest award and was struck by Graham Watts citation – it seemed to splendidly sum up Carlos, both the man and his illustrious career… and why exactly we all admire him. BM, Ed.
2018 English National Ballet Emerging Dancer Competition – performance and results
For the first time, English National Ballet’s competition for its junior members was held in the capacious London Coliseum, where the company has been performing The Sleeping Beauty…
Cesar Morales – Principal Dancer, Birmingham Royal Ballet
So how did a good Chilean boy end up dancing ballet in Europe…
Ballet Across America – Opening Night Celebration 2017 – Washington
★★★★✰ Ballet Across America – a festival that showcases the stylistic, creative and geographical diversity of American ballet – returned to the Kennedy Center this month…
Celebrate Forsythe – Pas/Parts 2016, The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude, Artifact Suite – Los Angeles
★★★★✰ San Francisco Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet and Houston Ballet have come together in LA to celebrate William Forsythe probably the most influential ballet choreographer of his generation. Claudia Bauer reports on a fine night…
Birmingham Royal Ballet – Wink, The Moor’s Pavane, The Shakespeare Suite – London
★★★★✰ Wink, best seen from above, is a valuable addition to BRB’s repertoire. So is José Limon’s The Moor’s Pavane, created in 1949.
Houston Ballet – Romeo and Juliet – Melbourne
★★★★★ This R&J gives the audience so much to admire, so much to be immersed in, and so much to delight in and even laugh over.
Interview: Alexander Ekman, Director / Choreographer, on Cacti and other things
One of the go-to international choreographers, particularly if you want something arresting and unusual, is Alexander Ekman. His “Cacti”, appropriately featuring a stage full of Cacti, is about to be presented by Royal New Zealand Ballet and Sydney Dance Company – Valerie Lawson catches up with a dance maverick…
A chat with Brooklyn Mack, Washington Ballet & English National Ballet Guest Artist
Brooklyn Mack dances with Washington Ballet but has recently been wowing British audiences with English National Ballet in their wonderful “Le Corsaire”. Margaret Willis, much impressed, caught up with him for a chat…
San Francisco Ballet – Nutcracker – San Francisco
The first time I saw San Francisco Ballet’s current production of The Nutcracker, a little boy sitting in front of us turned to his mother and whispered, “It’s magic!” Eleven years later, to the very day, it’s still a magical experience.
Fall For Dance Festival at City Center – Programs 3 and 4 – New York
Fall For Dance is a genuine feast, a display of unparalleled variety and plenty. When well-balanced, nothing is sweeter… but occasionally the flavors clash, and the abundance overwhelms.
A Heads-Up on Queensland Ballet, La Sylphide and company director Li Cunxin
Jann Parry on the award winning Peter Schaufuss “La Sylphide”, not seen in the UK in decades, and Li Cunxin’s Queensland Ballet who are bringing it to London this summer. Includes an interview with Cunxin…
American Ballet Theatre – Swan Lake (Copeland/Whiteside) – New York
Copeland has earned her place center-stage, and it seems more likely than ever that she will be promoted to principal.
Mark Morris Dance Group – Pacific, Words, Whelm, Grand Duo, Crosswalk, Jenn and Spencer, and Spring, Spring, Spring – New York
Morris seems particularly interested in deploying turning and spinning movements these days; turns appear again and again in different forms in many of the new works, especially fast chaînés or dizzying rotations in one spot.
Joffrey Ballet – Incantations, Son of Chamber Symphony, Bells, Episode 31 – San Francisco
As always, it’s a pleasure to see the Joffrey Ballet, especially since 2007 when artistic director Ashley Wheater assumed his post and began a terrific revival of the company…
San Francisco Ballet – Prog 1: Serenade, RAkU, Lambarena – San Francisco
America’s oldest ballet company, San Francisco Ballet, opened its eighty-second season with a triple bill that encapsulates the uniquely varied repertory developed by artistic director Helgi Tomasson…
Australian Ballet – La Bayadère (Gillian Murphy, Kevin Jackson) – Sydney
The stars were indeed aligned when American Ballet Theatre’s Gillian Murphy arrived to guest with the Australian Ballet for two performances as the leading lady, Nikiya the temple dancer.
