Real and of today: Pontus Lidberg’s Giselle
The setting may be updated but this is very much a Giselle still full of powerful feelings that reach out and touch
A Christmas treat: Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty: A Gothic Romance
With some of Bourne’s best choreography in the detail of the variations, the passion of the duets and strong ensemble numbers.
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
B.DANCE in The Cell: a mesmerising look at self conversation in a time of chaos
Riveting choreography. By looking at the madness we…have gone through, Tsai Po-Cheng invites the audience to let go, explore our deeper feelings
ACE Dance and Music: Unknown Realms
The quality and physicality of the dancing could not be faulted. The togetherness in unison moments was exceptional.
Freaky Bones: Israel Galván’s La Consagración de la Primavera
Goes far deeper than the spectacular or technique for technique’s sake. One comes out feeling awed and moved
Glistening, glowing and a riot of colour: Birmingham Royal Ballet’s reinvigorated Nutcracker
The refurbishment hasn’t just freshened the ballet up, it’s completely reinvigorated it… The perfect pre-festive treat for old and young alike
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
New English Ballet Theatre: Cycles of Loss and Love
It was apposite to present this programme close to Remembrance weekend when we recall the human loss suffered through the madness of war.
An inspiring evening of contemporary ballet: English National Ballet, Ek/Forsythe/Quagebeur
Perhaps only a giant of choreography such as Mats Ek could so successfully pull off a reboot of such a familiar subject as The Rite of Spring