November 2009
Royal Ballet in The Nutcracker at Royal Opera House
‘Here is, I swear, the best account of this often betrayed work that I have seen, without challenge in the world today.’
Svapnagata Festival at Sadler's Wells
‘For fans of Akram Khan, this festival he curated with Nitin Sawhney offers a sense of his choreographic journey.’
Svapnagata Festival at Sadler's Wells
‘It was a bright idea to ask these two to curate the season. They know the field and their choices were lively.’
Vincent Dance Theatre in If We Go On at The Place & touring
‘…If We Go On has what Confluence lacks: a crackling intellectual core. It may be bleak, but it’s the real thing.’
Akram Khan/Nitin Sawhney in Confluence at Sadler's Wells
‘The result is enjoyable but episodic. Khan’s Kathak displays provide the highlights but there’s too much indulgent noodling around, and the other dancers are grievously under-used.’
Akram Khan/Nitin Sawhney in Confluence at Sadler's Wells
‘Confluence, by dancer Akram Khan and musician Nitin Sawhney, is neither a new piece nor an old one, but a remix of their past collaborations, re-presented in Fabiana Piccioli’s spare designs and backed by Nick Hillel’s digital video.’
Motionhouse in Scattered at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Soutbank Centre
Even if you arrived with no notion of what Kevin Finnan’s latest work was about, the theme of water is instantaneously apparent thanks to the huge wave-like wall that engulfs a large part of the rear of the stage. This curved structure, by set designer Simon Dormon…
News: Tamara Rojo in the boardroom
A principal ballerina with the Royal Ballet, Rojo is spending time in meetings and boardrooms to help inform her potential transition from dancer to artistic director. The Spanish government has proposed that it… Continue Reading
News: No Eternal Damnation on BBC4
The BBC has announced that it won’t be broadcast Javier De Frutos’ contribution to the ‘In the Spirit of Diaghilev’ programme filmed earlier this year at Sadler’s Wells. In celebra… Continue Reading
News: New Artistic Associates for the Barbican
The Barbican has announced a major new partnership with Boy Blue Entertainment who become Artistic Associates for the next three years. Louise Jeffreys, Head of Theatre and Special Projects at the Barbican said:… Continue Reading
Feature: Boy Blue Entertainment
Boy Blue Entertainment present Pied Piper – A Hip-Hop Dance Revolution.Pied Piper is a contemporary performance inspired by Robert Browning’s poem The Pied Piper of Hamelin. Boy Blue Entertainment&#… Continue Reading
Review: Royal Ballet in The Nutcracker at Royal Opera House
Reviewed*: 26 November* For me, the best of all times is the feeling that Christmas is coming; it might be too much of a truism, but nonetheless true, to say that the day itself rarely lives up to expectations … Continue Reading
Cherkaoui/Shivalingappa & Winlock/Maqoma in Play/Southern Comfort at Lilian Baylis Studio, Sadler's Wells
*** ‘Play plainly stems from an astute theatrical sensibility. ‘
Cherkaoui/Shivalingappa & Winlock/Maqoma in Play/Southern Comfort at Lilian Baylis Studio, Sadler's Wells
‘If the Svapnagata festival is all about rethinking Indian dance and music, this double bill of duets shows what can happen when India converses and collides with other cultures.’
News: Phase3 At The Point
The Point, in Eastleigh, Hampshire, is a multipurpose arts venue where dance is at the forefront of programming. Its 300 hundred seater theatre has hosted performances by many leading UK companies since it opene… Continue Reading