The Australian Ballet find the heart and soul of Tolstoy’s novel in Yuri Possokhov’s Anna Karenina
A terrific production, Yuri Possokhov’s ballet is very Russian, truly understands the novel and is closer to it than most others
Charlotte Kasner
Exploring the boundary between real-world and virtual: Tom Dale Company’s Surge
The movement vocabulary is a mix of contemporary with a heavy flavour of tai-chi. The graphics twist and twirl, as does the dancer
Russian State Ballet of Siberia: Swan Lake
Highlight was Elena Svinko’s quite outstanding Odette/Odile. Framed by the severe faces of her swans, she was a shining jewel and quite sublime
Yukon Ho!
Amid the humour, there is an unexpected poignancy to Yukon Ho! that makes it a meaningful hour or so and gives much pause for thought
LIFE: A love letter to Merce Cunningham from Gandini Juggling
As if the juggling wasn’t skilful enough, fiendish ports de bras and footwork are built up ball by ball. I can’t help thinking Merce would have approved.
A splendid celebration: Ballet Icons Gala 2021
An evening of classical and contemporary new works and gala favourites performed by leading artists from around the world
A shape-shifting tale of love and desire: Fox Tales by GuoGuang Opera Company
A super production that fuses traditional Chinese opera with vivid digital multimedia design that brings the imaginary world to spectacular life
A new ballet company debuts: Awakenings by McNicol Ballet Collective
Four contemporary ballet world premieres, all classically-rooted and inspired by music, but also modern-feeling and of today
Paper play: Club Origami
Takeshi Matsumoto’s interactive and immersive dance show for the under-5s and their grown-ups that puts the emphasis on creativity through play
A dancer, impresario and femme fatale remembers: Ida Rubinstein – The Final Act
Fraud, femme fatale or fallen star? In many ways, dancer and impresario Ida Rubinstein was all three as Christian Holder’s play confirms
Old favourites overshadow new work: Ukrainian Ballet Gala
Ivan Putrov assembled some of his country’s finest dancers alongside others in an ambitious and largely enjoyable evening