BRB 'The Seasons' reviews 'Dante Sonata' reviews BRB 'Still Life' reviews 'Still Life' reviews Sakuma in reviews Cao in reviews recent BRB reviews

The Seasons
Not the Four Seasons and Vivaldi etc but a bit of 1850's Verdi. Rather likeable along with some sumptuous tutu designs by Jean-Marc Puissant. We will see more of him apparently since he has other commissions at RB and NDT among others.

I wonder if his recent work on Giselle gave Bintley the yen to do a more classical piece ­ whatever, it's welcome and Seasons looked pretty on both the corps and the soloists and principals who did much of the dancing. The Soloists generally seemed to try hardest and Nao Sakuma and Chi Cao were particularly stunning in Spring, giving their technical all (which is quite considerable) and all their emotional enjoyment too. Sakuma is looking very strong now and they got the largest applause. Less known, to me was Kosuke Yamamoto who in Winter surprised us all with his big jumps and speed - we all duly marked our cards.

Dante Sonata
My second viewing of Ashton's Ballet of the fight between the forces of Light and Darkness from 1940. And I'm afraid I still find it a dated curiosity.

Ross Stretton (the new Royal Ballet artistic director) on his appointment was asked much about bringing back or recovering heritage work by Ashton and others. He offered broad reassurance but noted that such pieces would still need to have meaning and be capable of being taught, danced and seen in their original context - without that they would be not a lot. At the time I thought this a bit of a potential excuse for not doing too much but now I think I see what he means. Even with the horrible news from the US and talk of war, Dante Sonata still feels old and confused to me. Dancers beat their breasts, shake their fists, agonise and fight but its all somehow very 30's and I half expect Noel Coward to wander on and do a monologue in a stiff 30's voice.

Ashton does however cram a lot into the 19 minutes and others marveled at the amount of quality movement. All I have to do now is pray that in some dark alley I don't meet Jean Bedells - the formidable former Sadler's Wells Ballet dancer who recovered and staged the piece. Well into her pensionable years, she'd beat more than few of us to a pulp.

'Still Life' at the Penguin Cafe
A much-loved ballet that, along with Swansong, changed my view of what issues ballet and dance could address. I've never really felt that ecology, as much else, other than laudable, very right and, rather like slimming, not terribly exciting. Still Life however brings it all to thoughtful but fun life against a catchy minimalist Penguin Cafe Orchestra score. Endangered species each come out and strut their stuff and it’s fun to see a new group of dancers inheriting roles known so well. I'll always miss Sandra Madgwick as the Humboldt's Hog-nosed Skunk Flea though Ambra Vallo is making a good start. The others will all bed down over time but the greatest star was perhaps Katie Webb as the young child - she performed liked a trouper (and I marked my card again)

Does it Work
A strong mixed bill that should please most audiences. BRB having been relatively stable for years at Principal level are now going though change as dancers retire or take extended leave and this is creating opportunities for younger dancers. Lovely to see such blossoming.