Following on from the recent screenings of San Francisco Ballet in Helgi Tomasson’s Romeo and Juliet and New York City Ballet in Balanchine’s Nutcracker, the Great American Dance Series is about to continue with performances by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Ballet Hispanico.
In a screen taster ahead of their visit in person in the autumn, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater can be seen in a quadruple-bill in cinemas from 25 March through the end of May.
The programme naturally includes the company’s signature work, Revelations created by founder Alvin Ailey, a tribute to the African-American cultural experience. That is joined by the diverse selection of Chroma by Wayne McGregor, accompanied by Joby Talbot’s wonderfully driving score and minimalist architect John Pawson’s luminous set; Grace by Ronald K. Brown, one of the Ailey company’s most popular works; and Takademe by the company’s artistic director Robert Battle, a deconstruction of kathak rhythms to Sheila Chandra’s syncopated score.
Photo Paula Lobo
From April 23 to June, Ballet Hispanico can be seen in an interesting looking double-bill. The company has never been seen live in Britain, but has quite a reputation in its New York home city, having grown from its grassroots origins as a dance school and community-based performing arts ensemble.
On the programme is CARMEN.maquia, a contemporary take on Bizet’s passionate opera by Spaniard Gustavo Ramírez Sansaro, whose contemporary dance choreography has nods towards paso doble and flamenco. It comes with a visual concept inspired by Picasso’s black-and-white palette. Club Havana is a show-off piece; a virtuosic re-imagining of a sizzling nightclub by Cuban-born Pedro Ruiz, in which the rhythms of the conga, rumba, mambo and cha cha are brought to life.
Unlike many cinema screenings both Alvin Ailey and Ballet Hispanico really can be seen widely across the country.
For tickets and more information visit www.greatamericandance.com
For details of the forthcoming UK tour of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (September 6-October 19), click here.