Osiel Gouneo, Black Romeo, a biography
“My way into the white world of ballet,” well summarizes his story but the biography… also gives a rare insight into what it means to be a dancer
Europe
La Bayadère with the Bayerisches Staatsballett
La Bayadère is a fairytale, which the Bayerisches Staatsballett turn into big drama. But the company does not ignore the problems the ballet has
Flaubert’s Madame Bovary comes to rich balletic life at the Staatsballett Berlin
The bored middle-class housewife is raised to literary heights by the novel’s rich romantic language and Spuck follows suit in high choreographic art
After five years, Onegin returns at the Bayerisches Staatsballett
Reid Anderson has brought a freshness to the Staatsballett performance and its strong characters as they journey through complicated emotions
Meredith Monk: Calling
A unique retrospective of her immersive creations. Across three large rooms, the Munich exhibition presents major creations from her catalogue
Badisches Staatsballett: The Girl & the Nutcracker
Bridget Breiner shifts the action to early 20th-century America. The all-new choreography is refreshingly classical, the ballet a showcase for technique
John Cranko School and Stuttgart Ballet: Aktion Weinachten
With all ticket proceeds from which go to the charity, this year’s edition of established favourites and new work was a festive feast of fine dance
An epic voyage: Zephyr by Mourad Merzouki and Compagnie Käfig
Dance at its very best. A fabulous, fabulous seventy minutes of marvellous theatre. A real spectacle that holds you from start to finish
Stuttgart Ballet: Creations XIII-XV
The highlight of the evening was Vittoria Girelli’s Sospesi, an effective visualisation of ideas and coming together of music and movement
Dance Theatre Pforzheim: Nutcracker and the Mouse King
A hugely enjoyable interpretation told with lots of imagination. A convincing telling that sends you away with a big, happy smile
Heinz Bosl Foundation Autumn Matinée with the Bavarian Junior Ballet
A fine showcase of young talent including Heinz Bosl Prize winner Serhii Zharikov with Kaela Tapper in Uwe Scholz’s sublime Sonata