When Peter Schaufuss changed London Festival Ballet's name to English National Ballet it caused much carping and querulous demands to know exactly what it was about the company that was either "English" or of such status to earn the title "national". Well now we are used to it and wonder what all the fuss was about, but perhaps, after all, it is an appellation that should have been bestowed on Northern Ballet Theatre.

The so-called "English style" is usually reserved for Ashton and considered to embody a reserve and delicacy of execution. In all the current searching for a definition on Englishness in society, it can surely be seen to be embodied in aspects of culture, none more so than those so often drawn upon by Northern Ballet: English literture, English music and a robustness and excitement in the dancing that is only rarely glimpsed at Covent Garden these days.

Three Musketeers is no exception.Granted a French tale, but nothing could be more English than Malcolm Arnold's music and the verve exhibited by every last member of the Company echoed the ballet-mania of the '40's and '50's when English ballet reigned supreme. Apologies to designer Charles Cusick Smith, who is of course no Sassenach, and who's contribution to the evening is utterly ravishing. The set captures the grandeur and scale necessary for the 17thC French court and the gloom of it's dungeons. It seems too long to wait for his version of Nutcracker promised for Christmas. (Only one small quibble: the Union Jack flown from the stern of the departing ship was a century or so early?) The painting is exquisite, especially the sweeping sunset skies and the detail on palace walls. It was well matched by Nixon's equally gorgeous costumes, colour and fabric adding subtle textures to the whole.

The narrative is quite complex but the dancers made it crystal clear throughout. The drama was interspersed with humour and characters shone out. It is difficult to single out any one dancer in a Company that embodies such excellent ensemble working but I particularly liked Keiko Amemori's Constance. Her fluidity combined with high energy and precision of line and she projected over the footlights superbly. Patrick Howell's D'Artagnan was also well observed and reminded one at moments of Irek Mukhemedev on Bintley's original Cyrano.

As is befitting in an ensemble work, the corps dancing was terrific, especially the washer women in Act I. The pace was fast and furious but with enough detailed and varied choreography to put everyone through their paces. Especially noticeable were the light landings and neatness of finishing positions.

Last but not least, the fine orchestra deserve a mention with particularly fine woodwind playing in fiendish flute and piccolo solos and a haunting theme from the oboe.

It seems astonishing that this great company is not being praised to the rafters with features in all the nationals and arts supplements. Wake up and smell the coffee folks. This is one not to be missed.

For those interested, the Malcolm Arnold score has now been released. Find below the Press Release:

Northern Ballet Theatre Media Release
30 May 2007
For immediate release

Sir Malcolm Arnold’s music for ‘The Three Musketeers’ released on CD

The music of Sir Malcolm Arnold is celebrated by the release of a CD recording of Northern Ballet Theatre’s (NBT) current touring production ‘The Three Musketeers’. Performed by the NBT Orchestra conducted by John Pryce-Jones, and issued on the Quartz label, the CD contains some of Sir Malcolm Arnold’s most memorable music as used in David Nixon’s acclaimed production. Music lovers wishing to hear the score live can catch ‘The Three Musketeers’ at its final performances in NBT’s current tour at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London from Tuesday 5 – Sunday 10 June.

The classic French adventure story is told in swash-buckling style with action-packed sword fights, sweeping love scenes, and dramatic ballet. Set in the early 1600’s, Cardinal Richelieu is plotting against Queen Anne, and Musketeers Athos, Porthos and Aramis, together with the spirited D’Artagnan have vowed to protect France at all costs. Meanwhile D’Artagnan is falling madly in love with Constance, the Queen’s Lady in Waiting. ‘The Three Musketeers’ received its first performance at the Alhambra Theatre, Bradford on 23 September 2006. In a sad coincidence Sir Malcolm Arnold, one of the UK’s most prolific composers, died the afternoon of the première.

‘The Three Musketeers’ is the first full-length ballet set to Sir Malcolm Arnold’s music. The score was specially arranged and orchestrated by John Longstaff (who also produced the CD recording) and includes movements from Arnold’s 2nd, 3rd and 5th symphonies, music from the motion pictures ‘David Copperfield’, ‘Trapeze’ and ‘Hobson’s Choice’, as well as the March ‘HRH The Duke of Cambridge’, ‘Anniversary’ Overture and several other shorter pieces. The music was initially selected by Anthony Meredith, whose biography of Malcolm Arnold ‘Rogue Genius’ written with Paul Harris, was published recently. The recording would not have been possible without the generous financial support of Katherine Arnold and Anthony Day.

ENDS.

Press contact: Laraine Penson / Ruth Burke-Kennedy, Northern Ballet Theatre Media & PR, tel: 0113 274 5355, email: media@northernballettheatre.co.uk

Notes to Editors

www.quartzmusic.com
www.northernballettheatre.co.uk

1) Listings
Sadler’s Wells, Rosebery Avenue, London, EC1R 4TN.
Tuesday 5 – Sunday 10 June 2007
Evenings Tue – Sat: 7.30pm, Matinees: Thursday & Saturday 2.30pm. Sun 4pm
Tickets: £13-£35 (Discounts available)
Box Office: 0870 737 7737 www.sadlerswells.com

2) Music from ‘The Three Musketeers’ composed by Sir Malcolm Arnold (not in running order):
Film Scores
Trapeze
David Copperfield
Roots of Heaven
Hobson's Choice
No Love for Johnnie

Orchestral Music
Flute Concerto - 3rd movement
Four Cornish Dances no. 1
English Dance set 2 no. 1
Four Scottish Dances no. 2
Four Welsh Dances no. 3
Anniversary Overture
Overture 'The Fair Field'
Serenade for Small Orchestra 2nd and 3rd movements
Sinfonietta no. 1 - 3rd movement
Sinfonietta no. 3 - 3rd movement
Symphony no. 2 - 2nd movement
Symphony no. 3 - 2nd and 3rd movements
Symphony no. 5 - 2nd, 3rd and 4th movements

Chamber Music
Vita Abundans - Phantasy for string quartet
Flute Sonata - 2nd movement
Military Band
HRH The Duke of Cambridge March

3) The Northern Ballet Theatre Orchestra
Northern Ballet Theatre is committed to live music at as many of its performances as possible and has its own regular Orchestra. The Orchestra perform a number of concerts outside of its work with the Company and is involved in education and outreach activities in the Yorkshire region.