Graham Watts talks to the multi-talented and very much respected Dane Hurst as he is named as the new artistic director of ground breaking Phoenix Dance Theatre. Expect great things to come...
Tag - Leeds
★★★✰✰ Where the ballet takes off is when there are only two or three major characters on stage and then Marston clearly shows intentions and emotions and the dancing becomes rich and telling, clever and gorgeous.
Marston has been working at Northern Ballet creating Victoria for the company (premiere this month) and we wanted to find out more, also catch up on other commissions and discuss just how she works creatively and manages to juggle it all so effortlessly…
★★★★✰ A good night of new work for Leeds coupling a rising star from outside with local and much-loved company talent.
We talk to Emma Maguire about the Gala that honours the life of her mum, Ann Maguire, and this year takes place at the Leeds Grand Theatre on 3 September. The proceeds go to support the Ann Maguire Arts Education Fund - inspiring young people through the arts...
★★★★✰ This is Northern Ballet firing on all dramatic cylinders - a fine show made great by the entire company.
"He lived a life of excess and theatrical flare!" Kenneth Tindall on Casanova.
It's a significant accomplishment - Watkins has really marked his card.
Batley's Dracula is a towering presence, subtly portraying the torment between evil and desire; the seducer and the seduced.
Overall I thought this was another move forward for Tindall - he can grab our attention theatrically and also provide visceral choreographic texture.
This was a pleasant night, pleasant for its broad content but especially pleasant because mixed bills and choreographic variety are not something normally associated with Northern Ballet. It's a time of great hardship for all the major companies as grants are pegged back and I hope the company will continue its journey in introducing more variety like this.