Natalia Osipova in The Standard of Living
Osipova’s performance is seamlessly integrated into the whole. On this evidence, she could easily slip into a dramatic career once her dancing days are over.
UK
Northern Ballet: Three Short Ballets
The dancers moved from Peck’s musical intricacy to van Manen’s cool precision and November’s high-energy theatricality without losing their own presence
London City Ballet: Mephisto Waltz, Quiet City, Firebird
In Firebird, it’s impossible to take your eyes off Francesca Velicu. Supremely flexible, her movement flows easily with a wonderful liquid beauty.
Birmingham Royal Ballet: Swan Lake
The familiar strains of Tchaikovsky’s famous score evoke mystery and magic. They transport you into another world even before the curtain rises.
English National Ballet: Rhythm Riot
English National Ballet are back on form with Rhythm Riot, a cracking triple bill comprising no less than two world premieres
Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, Legacy
It was good to see that Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is in such excellent form and so connected to its roots.
A Spiritual Journey: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, New Works
“Awakening, spiritual searching, visions of heaven and the complications of human desire, before Revelations arrived with sorrow… sinners, salvation”
Greenwich+Docklands International Festival: Dancing City
Certainly brought the crowds out. The free and unticketed performances at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park were packed out, with people taking every possible vantage point.
San Francisco Ballet in Aszure Barton’s Mere Mortals
The dancing is powerful, the ensemble injecting a sense of great scale. As befits a work inspired by technological developments. the backing projections are impressive. The score by Sam Shepherd (aka Floating Points) is terrific
The Royal Ballet: The McRae / Vassilev Project
McRae’s attack, Lamb’s nerve, Nicholson’s theatrical instinct and Vassilev’s swagger feed off one another… pleasure keeps spilling outwards.
National Youth Ballet: Echoes of Tomorrow
An evening that shone with optimism and hope, an evening when young people showed us a better world working together creatively in an atmosphere of respect and harmony to deliver a vibrant programme of dance