Feature – Ashton Rediscovered Masterclass: Voices of Spring, coached by Merle Park and Wayne Eagling
For anyone with an interest in the machinations of bringing a difficult pas de deux to performance standard, this was an experience to cherish.
Interview: Mayara Magri, First Soloist, The Royal Ballet
Jann Parry talks to the recently promoted Mayara Magri at an important time – she is about to make her debut as Gamzatti in The Royal Ballet’s production of La Bayadere – her first major and leading role in the company she joined 6 years ago…
American Ballet Theatre – Her Notes, Symphonic Variations, Other Dances, Serenade After Plato’s Symposium – New York
★★★✰✰ The program opened and closed with the most recent works: Jessica Lang’s Her Notes and Alexei Ratmansky’s Serenade after Plato’s Symposium. Both premiered at ABT in 2016, and both are works whose inspiration largely comes from their scores.
Royal Ballet – 3 casts in The Dream, Symphonic Variations, Marguerite and Armand – London
★★★★✰ In Marguerite and Armand the 3 casts reviewed are Zenaida Yanowsky and Roberto Bolle, Alessandra Ferri and Federico Bonelli, Natalia Osipova and Valdimir Shklyarov.
Washington Ballet – Lilac Garden, The Dream, Frontier (premiere) – Washington
★★★✰✰ Ethan Stiefel’s Frontier, his first significant commission, had all the right ingredients… Yet the ballet, with its space travel theme, didn’t leave much of an impression…
Gallery – Royal Ballet in The Dream, Symphonic Variations, Marguerite and Armand
An all Frederick Ashton bill. Gallery by Dave Morgan…
American Ballet Theatre – Serenade after Plato’s Symposium, Symphonic Variations, Brahms-Haydn Variations + Fall Gala – New York
★★★★✰ A second look at Alexei Ratmansky’s Serenade after Plato’s Symposium confirms the impression formed last season. It is a fascinating work that represents a new direction for the choreographer.
James Hay – Royal Ballet First Soloist
The Royal Ballet’s 2015/2016 season is providing big opportunities for James Hay, promoted to First Soloist in June…
2015 National Dance Awards – Announcement of Nominations
The Dance Section of the Critics’ Circle is pleased to announce the nominations for the 16th National Dance Awards,
Australian Ballet – Ashton bill: The Dream, Monotones II, Symphonic Variations – Sydney
After the long famine, Ashton’s ballets made a welcome return this week with the company’s triple bill under the umbrella title, The Dream.
Laura Morera & Vadim Muntagirov – Royal Ballet Principals, on La Fille mal gardée
Jann Parry talks to Laura Morera and Vadim Muntagirov about all things La Fille mal gardée and a few other things too…
2014 Dance Memories – London
Lynette Halewood with her personal selection of London dance memories this last year…
Royal Ballet – Ashton quad bill – London
Jann Parry reviews Scènes de ballet, Five Brahms Waltzes, Symphonic Variations and A Month in the Country…
Gallery – Royal Ballet Ashton quad bill
Royal Ballet Ashton Bill featuring Scènes de ballet, Five Brahms Waltzes in the Manner of Isadora Duncan, Symphonic Variations and A Month in the Country. Gallery by Dave Morgan…
Frederick Ashton Remembered – Ashton Foundation Masterclasses & In Step with Fred film screenings
As The Royal Ballet prepares to celebrate Frederick Ashton with an all Ashton quad bill, two other events have also been celebrating the work of the Royal Ballet’s founder choreographer…
Royal Ballet – Mayerling – Kobborg/Cojocaru farewell performances – London
Johan Kobborg and Alina Cojocaru said farewell to the Royal Ballet in Mayerling. Jann Parry was there for an emotional night, flower throw and standing ovation…
Paul Taylor Dance Company – 7 works over 2 bills – Paris
The seven works I saw over two nights started with Aureole and ended with Esplanade, and even in these less than perfect circumstances it’s impossible to resist the enchantment of these two masterpieces. Aureole especially seems to me the essence of Paul Taylor…
Frederick Ashton Foundation and Christopher Nourse
Not Trusting to Fate – The Frederick Ashton Foundation’s avowed purpose is to perpetuate the choreographer’s legacy. But to do so, it needs the co-operation of those to whom Ashton willed his ballets…
