BRB2 debut with Carlos Acosta’s Classical Selection

Royal & Derngate, Northampton
April 25, 2023

Number 2 companies, are a pretty new idea in the UK although, since NDT2, junior dance companies attached to major companies have been mushrooming across Europe. They do a good service offering further training to bridge the gap between graduating and bagging a company contract. Now Carlos Acosta, who never takes his eye off the ball, has created BRB2, an exciting group of young professionals.

Carlos Acosta’s Classical Selection is a pot pourri of gala favourites spiced up with new and less well-known works, neatly themed to give a loose narrative. The opening on a stripped-bare stage, blends the rehearsal room with the performance space as dancers replace warm-up gear with costumes before moving onstage then reverse the process post-performance to hug partners and retrieve their bags.

The opening half was the more classical, closing on a vibrant Diana and Acteon. Beatrice Parma and Enrique Bejarano Vidal rose to the chance to display their virtuosity. It’s a great showpiece and Vidal went to town on the latest in twirls in the air, and pirouettes that span to order. Parma’s strong attack and line stood her in good stead in the solo and even a slippery patch on stage didn’t faze her as she continued to a splendid series of finale fouettés.

The other pas de deux, mostly limited to just the duet, were diverse. Frieda Kaden and Oscar Kempsey-Fagg danced Frederick Ashton’s Rhapsody with total commitment, living each moment. Swan Lake Act ll, from Maïlène Katoch and Mason King is always a difficult one to nail the mood and emotions out of context but the partnering was strong and secure.

Acosta’s Dying Swans offered something new and different. Regan Hutsell bourreéd in the traditional Fokine choreography while Jack Easton shared the stage with interesting contemporary moves finishing in a shoulder stand with tucked legs as Hutshell folded into the iconic swan pose.

La Sylphide was a welcome addition with Eric Pinto Cata displaying the necessary light, high ballon and Olivia Chang Clarke a delicious, teasing sylphide.

Ben Stevenson’s End of Time, a gently expressive neo-classical duet was performed with skill and sensitivity by Lucy Waine and Kempsey-Fagg. Acosta was principal dancer in Houston Ballet when Stevenson was director and I hope we get to see more of his choreography at BRB2.

The café theme opened on A Buenos Aires, choreographed by Gustavo Mollajoli to Astor Piazzolla’s music. Performed by Kaden and Easton it was steamy, seductive and very classy. Two solos from Ben Van Cauwenbergh, Je ne Regrette Rien, a clever virtuosic number beautifully punctuated was danced by Hutsell, and the popular Les Bourgeois was given a flashy and very enjoyable performance by Vidal. Clarke and Cata showed their versatility in a very different setting, performing with passion the duet in Acosta’s Carmen. Lucy Waine, wearing the petticoat cage of a crinoline performed Will Tuckett’s quirky Nisi Dominus. 

Majisimo choreography by Jorge Garcia, music from Massenet’s Le Cid, had the suitable spirit and dynamic to wrap up the evening. Four couples, the dancers from earlier numbers joined by Rachele Pizzillo and Ava May Llewellyn, in a series of duets, solos and groups had a great opportunity to bring classical training to the fore.

The confidence of the young dancers and their versatility in style and presence was a joy to see as was the professional standard of the partnering. It was also a treat to have the luxury of live music provided by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia. The energy and innovation that Acosta is bringing to the BRB Companies is so welcome as he makes the Midlands the go-to place for dance lovers.

BRB2 are touring until June 24, 2023. For dates and venues, visit www.brb.org.uk.