Thrilling theatre: Norwegian National Ballet in The Hamlet Complex Redux
Simply too much to absorb in one viewing, but the brilliant stage pictures and the fine performances make for total immersion in thrilling theatre
Europe
Robbins/Balanchine from the Royal Swedish Ballet
Two of Jerome Robbins’ most popular ballets and one of Balanchine’s most enjoyable. What’s not to like?
In sync with the underground world of today’s Berlin: Zoe Gyssler’s Firestarter
Surreal queerness, limitless imagination, kinky fantasies, mystical visions, loud, monotonous techno, kitschy excesses…and a pinch of occultism
Two cities, three Mayerlings
Mayerling in London and Paris. “Muntagirov is a rare Rudolph, one whose decline is as agonizingly real as it is exquisitely danced.”
Colour and energy: The Royal Swedish Ballet in Don Quixote
A feast of dance, music and colourful costumes with the added bonus of Madeleine Woo and Dmitry Zagrebin in the roles of Kitri and Basilio
Tanz im August: new takes on flamenco and ballet, and a dash of hip hop
Sometimes more performance-oriented than dance-driven, the festival demonstrated how the various arts languages are increasingly combining
Tanz im August: from dance manias to Northern Ireland society and Zulu rickshaw drivers
Featuring Oona Doherty’s ‘Navy Blue’, Robyn Orlin’s ‘We wear our wheels with pride…’, Mette Ingvartsen’s ‘The Dancing Public’ and more
Tanz im August, Berlin’s summer dance fest, is full of variety
The pearl of the week was undoubtedly Sonoma by La Veronal, a surreal work full of captivating images, beauty and strength
A glimpse into a very bright future: John Cranko School ‘Ballet Matinee’
A fine programme that reflected well the dancers’ classical training, and the School and Stuttgart Ballet heritage
A memorable evening in Hamburg: Nijinsky Gala XLVII
A long evening with some of the best dance on the planet and memorable performances
Dutch National Ballet’s Hans van Manen Festival Programme 4
Boosted by visitors from Vienna State Ballet and Stuttgart Ballet, an evening of dance and music of amazing quality and variety