MacMillan Celebrations – Gloria (NB), The Judas Tree (RB), Elite Syncopations (RB+Guests) – London
★★★★✰ Elite Syncopations: Dancers from all five major British ballet companies took part, some doubling up roles in identical outfits so that identifying dancers was confusing. The stand-out solo in both the casts I saw was to the Calliope Rag, Monica Mason’s original role…
Northern Ballet – Swan Lake – Milton Keynes
★★★✰✰ Although David Nixon authored this ballet long before Lord Grantham was a twinkle in Julian Fellowes’ eye, it certainly provides an inkling of Swan Lake meets Downton Abbey.
Northern Ballet – Madame Butterfly, Perpetuum Mobile – London
Madame Butterfly is one of Nixon’s most effective narrative productions, combining japonaiserie with classical ballet conventions…
