Both the Royal Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet are opening their 2021/22 seasons with the same ballet - Kenneth MacMillan's Romeo and Juliet. Jann Parry takes a look at how one of the most admired narrative ballets of the 20th century came to be and details of the many dancing debuts we can look forward to...
Tag - Marion Tait
★★★★★ That BRB managed to get this on at all is a small miracle - and the undiminished determination with which the dancers attack their work inspires passion in us all.
Gallery by Foteini Christofilopoulou...
★★★★✰ In spite of all the problems with performing a proscenium arch ballet in an arena setting with a purpose-built stage, it is no less magical than any other production and in some ways, it works advantageously.
★★★★✰ ...exemplary performances from Momoko Hirata as Giselle and César Morales as Albrecht make for a richly rewarding and moving experience.
★★★★✰ By swelling the numbers of her small touring company, Yolande Yorke-Edgell was able to mount a revival of Kenneth MacMillan's Playground and a 10-strong ensemble for Robert Cohan's Communion. The programme also included new works by Sophia Stoller and Yorke-Edgell herself.
Jann Parry talks to The Royal Ballet about what's happening on World Ballet Day this year and just what it means for some of those involved... Kristen McNally, James Hay and Assistant director Anthoula Syndica-Drummond.
With Nao Sakuma and Yasuo Atsuji in the lead roles. Gallery by Dave Morgan...
His is an insider’s account, complete with waspish comments and cameos of the famous people he encountered...
Birmingham Royal Ballet have been celebrating the Silver Anniversary of Sir Peter Wright's great Nutcracker production and the company's move to Birmingham that same year.
Opening night cast of Celine Gittens and Tyrone Singleton reviewed + some thoughts on Delia Mathews and Brandon Lawrence...
...it’s actually a real pleasure to watch a company just working together for the good of the ballet.
...a jewel of a performance from Nao Sakuma. Her movement is beautifully musical, weighted and controlled - she hardly ever needs to do adjustments, so precise is she.
All up, I came out entertained and it's a piece that will endure. And if all the company can conqueror Act 1 there will be smiling families all the way, I think - smiling at the drama and the movement.
As a young partnership Delia Mathews and Tyrone Singleton really are exceptionally good.
My nickname in BRB used to be Bastard - and something happened with Ballet Hoo! - I don't know whether it's my age, or the kids we worked with, but it made me realise that you can get the best out of dancers and students by coming in on a certain level and talking to them on a certain level - not always shouting. I do shout still, I do get very angry...