December 2008
Feature: Alain Platel's pitié!
_ *pitié!_ is an intense study of Bach’s extraordinary composition Matthew Passion. Alain Platel’s daring reinvention of Bach’s ‘untouchable’ masterpiece explores our ability to sy… Continue Reading
Feature: Traces
_ *Les 7 Doigts de la Main (The 7 Fingers) are a young French-Canadian company who have pioneered a whole new brand of circus. In Traces_ four men and one woman give dazzling, gravity defying displays of skill, … Continue Reading
New Adventures in Edward Scissorhands at Sadler's Wells
‘And yet, with Matthew Malthouse’s endearing Edward (pictured) at its heart, the show finally takes off in Act 2: we feel for him as his fragile world of happiness is torn apart and his love is finally requited, and Malthouse works hard to invest subtlety and…
New Adventures in Edward Scissorhands at Sadler's Wells
‘the cartoonish characters, colourful costumes, musical set pieces and wealth of incident provide plenty of sugar coating – and fluffy filling. Too much, really’
News: Dance Mapping 2008
Since the summer Arts Council England has been undertaking research which when completed should give a comprehensive picture of the dance economy and ecology in this country today. In an interview with Dance UK,… Continue Reading
New Art Club in The Notcracker at Dancecity Newcastle, coming to artsdepot, 20 Dec 08
‘It’s all quite mad, and an absolute breath of fresh air.’
Review: New Adventures in Edward Scissorhands at Sadler's Wells
Perf: 9 December 2008 I last saw Matthew Bourne’s Edward Scissorhands at its premiere, three years ago. Since then, it has toured the world before returning home for this long Christmas season (it runs at … Continue Reading
Carousel at Savoy Theatre
‘The ballet of daughter Louise’s awakening sexuality is, in Adam Cooper’s choreography, vaguely indicative rather than outright erotic.’
English National Ballet in The Sleeping Beauty at London Coliseum
‘We have a Prince, a true classical premier danseur, boasting those virtues that ballet directors hope for and so rarely find. Zdenek Konvalina is Czech-born and now working in Canada.’
English National Ballet in The Sleeping Beauty at London Coliseum
‘English National Ballet sail confidently through this varied and demanding piece, thanks partly to the sublime leads (Fernanda Oliveira and Dmitri Gruzdyev), partly to the standard of the cast, and partly to the grandeur of the design.’
Carousel at Savoy Theatre
‘In that great song of renewal and seething sexuality, June is Bustin’ Out All Over, Adam Cooper’s choreography sets the stage alight with high-kicks, dangerous lifts and a testosterone-charged athleticism that is thrilling.’
English National Ballet in The Sleeping Beauty at London Coliseum
‘While recommending the production wholeheartedly, I think it will pay to choose your Aurora with care.’
Miss High Leg Kick and Boogaloo Stu in School of Dance at Pit Rehearsal Room, Barbican
‘After a short, tongue-in-cheek slide-show lecture about Latin dance (“A bright orange glow to the skin is highly prized”), this over-the-top twosome cut loose in a brief dance routine to music supplied by the DJ Simon Glitter.’
English National Ballet in The Sleeping Beauty at London Coliseum
‘The standout was André Portásio’s fantastic Carabosse, an imperious, petulant creature whose gorgeous wickedness was vividly juxtaposed against the calm benevolence of Sarah McIlroy’s Lilac Fairy.’
Carousel at Savoy Theatre
‘Adam Cooper’s choreography is admirable in the way it slips organically in and out of the action, echoing visual themes of William Dudley’s set.’