September 2011
Royal Ballet in Jewels at Royal Opera House
‘I’ve always found Rubies easier to admire than to love, especially when framed by Jean-Marc Puissant’s overbearing deco set. But I was won over by Sarah Lamb and Steven McRae. She’s a spiffy American beauty, straight out of the pages of Scott Fit…
Royal Ballet in Jewels at Royal Opera House
‘The Royal Ballet season opened with some serious dazzle.Created in 1967, Balanchine’s Jewels is an evening of plotless ballets, linked by the theme of precious stones. Handsomely staged by Elyse Borne and Patricia Neary, it puts plenty of the company̵…
Jean Abreu Company in Inside at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Soutbank Centre
‘Jean Abreu has taken a bold step with Inside. The feline fluidity and spacious abstraction that marked his earlier pieces are now alloyed with a new element of psychological brutalism. The mix is sometimes laboured, but when it works – as it often does &#…
ROH2 - Arthur Pita in The Metamorphosis at Linbury Studio Theatre, Royal Opera House
‘Many narratives are diminished by choreographic treatment but Metamorphosis makes perfect physical theatre. You can trace Matthew Bourne’s influence in the no-nonsense storytelling and characterisation and in the odd flashes of humour.’
ROH2 - Arthur Pita in The Metamorphosis at Linbury Studio Theatre, Royal Opera House
‘Watson’s freakish performance is a physical tour de force, but what elevates his reading of Samsa is, paradoxically, its humanity. His broken attitudes and haunted eyes excite our compassion, and never more so than when his family manically attempt to carry …
ROH2 - Arthur Pita in The Metamorphosis at Linbury Studio Theatre, Royal Opera House
‘It is terrifying, heart-tearing, piteous. And glorious. It must, must be seen. It must, must be filmed.’
ROH2 - Arthur Pita in The Metamorphosis at Linbury Studio Theatre, Royal Opera House
‘With work, the more unruly elements of this bold effort could come into focus: it’s too good an idea to waste.’
Review: ROH2 - Arthur Pita's The Metamorphosis at Linbury Studio Theatre, Royal Opera House
Reviewed: 24 September (matinee) Choreographer Arthur Pita is building up an impressive stable of dance theatre creations, all ripping directly to the heart of the human condition. God’s Garden, his last w… Continue Reading
Feature: Beijing Dance Theater
Beijing Dance Theater was established by choreographer Wang Yuanyuan and visual artists Han Jiang and Tan Shaoyuan in 2008. Haze, choreographed by Wang Yuanyuan, is a creative response to the economic and envir… Continue Reading
Review: Jean Abreu Company in Inside at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Soutbank Centre
A shaft of light cuts through dark, then a sharp, reverberating blast and heavy clunk of steel brings four marching figures, who stand, hands clasped behind. A front-facing naked man obeys their barked instructi… Continue Reading
News: Sir Paul McCartney's ballet premiere
Ocean’s Kingdom was premiered by the New York City Ballet last night. This is the first time that S*ir Paul McCartney* has written a ballet score. Melissa Whitworth reviewed the evening. “The music … Continue Reading
Royal Ballet in Jewels at Royal Opera House
“Tuesday brought Balanchine’s Jewels, a performance in many ways as alert and sensitive as one could wish.”
ROH2 - Arthur Pita in The Metamorphosis at Linbury Studio Theatre, Royal Opera House
“Watson is impressive, as is the rest of the cast who do less dancing – costume and gesture convey their character, which is to casually crush the tragic Gregor.”
Review: Sylvie Guillem in 6000 miles away at Sadler's Wells
6000 miles away*has made a remarkably quick – and very welcome – return to *Sadler’s Wells just weeks after its world premiere in July. The enigmatic title references Sylvie Guillem’s hug… Continue Reading
Royal Ballet in Jewels at Royal Opera House
“ Steven McRae debuted in the ballet and outdanced both Lamb and Yanowsky, a considerable achievement considering their experience, skill and charisma.”