August 2009
News: The role of a Ballet Mistress
The Royal Ballet Company‘s Ballet mistress, Ursula Hageli, gives an insight into the job, “My prime concern is the corps de ballet and the female soloists, so that means taking rehearsals. I coach th… Continue Reading
Feature: Michael Clark
The Michael Clark Dance Company is currently performing at the Edinburgh Festival (28-31 August.09) and will be coming to the Barbican Theatre in November as part of the Dance Umbrella season 2009. Michael Cl… Continue Reading
News: Watford & Widnes to Moscow
Watford teenager Natalie Carter, and Daniel Dolan from Widnes, are off to study at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy. Natalie is only the second British girl, and Daniel the third British boy to train at the Academy si… Continue Reading
News: Strictly Come Dancing 2009
The contestants have been announced for the BBC‘s 2009 Strictly Come Dancing programme Stars of sport and screen feature in the 2009 line-up: The women – Lynda Bellingham, Ali Bastian, Natalie Cassid… Continue Reading
Hotel Follies at Arts Theatre
‘This lightweight camp show mocks classical ballet and how we were to an audience who found it hilarious.’
Hotel Follies at Arts Theatre
‘It’s a promising concept from a director who’s pretty much a novice, and there are glimmers of authentic period charm in some of what ensues.’
Review: Hotel Follies at Arts Theatre
*Hotel Follies* is a glass of champagne quenching the thirst of our favourite national pastime, people watching. The scene set from the pavement with a ‘Vacancy’ sign hung in the door way and a bar t… Continue Reading
Claire Cunningham at Dancebase
‘As a rising star of the Scottish dance scene, what distinguishes Cunningham’s movement vocabulary from that of her contemporaries is the use of crutches.’
Fidget Feet in Raw at Dancebase
‘Despite edgy, diverting moments, you may feel, as I did, that this raucous enterprise is ultimately more gratifying for participants than spectators.’
Hotel Follies at Arts Theatre
‘..this intriguing if slightly ramshackly 1940s-style “dance revue” from upcoming director/choreographer Christopher Marney.’
Royal Ballet of Flanders in Return of Ulysses at Playhouse Theatre
‘Christian Spuck’s retelling of the Ulysses legend for the Royal Ballet of Flanders concentrates on the boredom of Penelope’s 20-year wait for her husband’s return – which means the audience watches the repetitive rituals of her day unfol…
Royal Ballet of Flanders in Return of Ulysses at Playhouse Theatre
‘Some of Spuck’s choreographic choices are underwhelming, especially the would-be comic gestures of the corps de ballet during the pop songs. Still, I enjoyed his production, although I wonder just how much sense it will make to anyone not familiar with Gr…
Royal Ballet of Flanders in Return of Ulysses at Playhouse Theatre
‘Spuck’s brand of contemporary dance joins the best of what has become the stuff of classical European companies, giving audiences a ballet of theatrical, intelligent accessibility.’
Gelabert Azzopardi Companyia de Dansa at Festival Theatre
‘The bald, fiftysomething Catalan choreographer Cesc Gelabert cannot help but stand out alongside the nine younger dancers in the company that he and Lydia Azzopardi jointly head. He has about him the air of an übercool wizard intent on conjuring magic.’
Gelabert Azzopardi Companyia de Dansa at Festival Theatre
‘In this thrilling whirlwind, even the material backdrop plays an active part, fashioned by the dancers into altarpiece, field of gold, sky and pulsing flesh itself.’