A dip into Berlin’s Tanz im August 2023
In ‘The Romeo’, Trajal Harrell combines voguing with bizarre and fascinating outfits in choreography full of fluid, wavy, undulating movement
Europe
Platform 14 provides a stage for emerging independent choreographers
It was good to witness some excellent dancing and well-thought choreographies.
Staatstheater Nürnberg International Ballet Gala
A fine evening with plenty of variety; and one not dominated by nineteenth-century fireworks.
The finest of all narrative ballets? Stuttgart Ballet in John Cranko’s Onegin
Martí Fernández Paixà is a superb Onegin, perhaps ballet’s ultimate romantic villain. He fills the stage, even when just standing in the background
Future Choreography: an evening of new work by and with the Badisches Staatsballett
“A typically varied evening of work that ranged from out-and-out classical ballet to experimental dance theatre.”
Stuttgart Ballet: Remember Me
A beautiful double bill of John Cranko’s Initials R.B.M.E. and Requiem by his great friend Kenneth MacMillan. It was an evening to savour.
Stuttgart Ballet: The Taming of the Shrew
The pas de deux are wonderful. They are not steamy but, typically Cranko, they are very human… balletic but without the formality
Boîte-en-valise: a celebration of Goyo Montero’s 15 years in Nuremberg
Snippets of signature works by other noted choreographers that have helped define the company, plus Montero’s own, new, Boîte-en-valise
Ballet Preljocaj in a Swan Lake with a message
There are changes but… there are swans. There is a lake. There is an Odette in white, and a Siegfried who falls for an Odile in black.
Classicism to the fore: John Cranko School
Absolutely and unashamedly classically-focused. Even the student choreography. The contemporary pieces were clearly classically underwritten too
Badisches Staatsballett International Benefit Gala
An enjoyable and interesting evening with the focus on duets and the more contemporary end of the spectrum, and only one firework pas de deux.