August-October 2005
Reviews only Magazine

Next Magazine is full of interviews, features etc Previous Ballet.co magazine - May - July 2005

---

Kirov in London

'Balanchine programme': Jeffery Taylor

"Andrei Merkuriev failed to ignite the Prodigal Son but Ekaterina Osmolkina romped away with Ballet Imperial. It's what they do best, after all."

'Balanchine programme': Jane Simpson

"Much the greatest pleasure came from the second ballerina, Ekaterina Osmolkina - the first time this season I've felt the authentic Kirov thrill."

'Forsythe programme': Lynette Halewood

"They tear through the choreography with glee, speeding across the stage, flinging their legs heavenwards through 180 degrees and more. The women's legs are weapons."

'Forsythe programme': Stephen Smith

"The boundaries of human biological endurance are blurred so sufficiently that it gives the impression that the dancers are robotic master species."

'La Bayadere': Charlotte Kasner

"Performances were competent rather than sparkling until the last act, when the company seemed to summon enough energy to pull some stops out."

'Romeo and Juliet': Kevin Ng

"It was one of those rare evenings when every single element came off perfectly well."

'Swan Lake': Bruce Marriott

"Lopatkina gives sense to this because we can believe she comes from another world: to miss her is to shoot yourself in the foot."

'Swan Lake': Ian Palmer

"This was purity, truth and artistry in its most perfect form."

'Swan Lake': Ian Palmer

"Her body follows the musical phrases of the Tchaikovsky as if she herself were a musician playing the score and this fluidity in her dance captures the inner torment of Odette's soul brilliantly."

'Swan Lake': Ian Palmer

"This second night presented us with a company cygnet, not yet quite as full of wing and plumage as her illustrious colleague. She was Viktoria Tereshkina."

more reviews in Postings Reviews section



USA Reviews

Bolshoi Ballet

'Don Quixote': Eric Taub

"She reached the height of her lift at the exact moment her foot reached her ear, and when one of those percussive explosions emerged from the orchestra, so her foot looked like a rocket launched to the moon. Yes, it was a showy effect, but perfectly executed, and visually not far from a sock in the eye."

'The Pharaoh's Daughter': Eric Taub

"I found myself spending the occasional slow moment trying to decide which of the pair of Wilson and Bull was Bing Crosby, and which Bob Hope, to Aspicia's Dorothy Lamour."

'Spartacus': Anjuli Bai

"From the first moment the ballet seethes with tension, and though it has change of pace, that tension never ceases. There are few nuances, not much subtlety, but Imperial Rome and slavery are neither nuanced nor subtle themes."


New York City Ballet

'Harlequinade' bill: Eric Taub

"A speedy turner, Veyette's finest moment was an exciting "double-double" tour, snapping through two in rapid succession, something I haven't from a Harlequin before."

'Morgen' bill: Eric Taub

"Woetzel, as he's done for decades, stamped his heels, mugged, bounded through leaps and turns that would make most dancers cringe, but all his mugging didn't overcome the sneaking suspicion that perhaps he's just a bit bored with it all."

'Swan Lake' bill: Eric Taub

"Most of the cast looked badly in need of rehearsal time and generous doses of caffiene, and at its conclusion I was in need of something far stronger."


American Ballet Theatre

'Giselle': Eric Taub

"Last night, Kent dusted off her prom-Queen Giselle, and completely overpowered my jaded sensibility."

'Giselle': Eric Taub

"Vishneva showed us a wild thing ruled by two passions: her love of dancing, and her love for Albrecht - both of which would betray her."

'Giselle': Eric Taub

"McKerrow was a class act until the very end."

more reviews in Postings Reviews section

Bay Area Rhythm Exchange

'Second Bay Area Rhythm Exchange': Renee Renouf

"What was most unforgettable about this subtly structured, non-structured event was the momentary moments between the artists - timing, gesture, the warmth, affection and genuine respect with which they embraced each other and their art form which splits apart rules and hammers new ones before one's delighted eyes."


California Ballet Company

'Go the Distance' bill: Anjuli Bai

"In conclusion, this program was one of casual fun, let's hope the rest of the projected season is one upon which to grow."


Mark Foehringer Dance Project-SF

'Diadorim (Devil to Pay in Backlands)': Renee Renouf

"Riabaldo discovered Diadorim's gender on the death bier, and embraced her naked body. He was surrounded by street people moving like the wind. When they are gone, Otacilia found him, raised him slowly to his feet to set him walking once more.
"This awkward recitation conveys little of a haunting story ballet, beautifully performed..."


NY Ballroom Dance Program

'Mad Hot Ballroom': Anjuli Bai

""Mad Hot Ballroom" is misnamed. It should be called "What a Delightful Film."


National Ballet of China

'Raise the Red Lantern': Renee Renouf

"The male ensembles provided edge and power, but the choreography comes in second to the brilliance of set and lighting. Most movement seemed right dominated. Scarcely surprising given Chinese traditions; the beautifully etched port de bras echo the filigree and body postures associated with notions of Chinese feminine beauty."

'Raise the Red Lantern': Anjuli Bai

"The choreography in this ballet lacks invention in the Western sense of ballet in which innovation is deemed all too important even if it subsumes dramatic intent. With that perspective this choreography looks inhibited by its marriage to Chinese stylization. However, if one considers this ballet as a Chinese dance drama sur la pointe, it does have impact and lasting dramatic effect."


Odissi Vilas

'Parampara': Renee Renouf

"Odissi also could serve as an eloquent alternative for ballet dancers starved for highly emotional interpretations; the dancer is permitted, within the limits of the tala and lyrics, wide interpretive latitude and freedom to improvise. Myrta Barvi, a Teatro Colon -trained Argentine ballet dancer, did exactly that."


French Reviews

Paris Opera Ballet

'Alles Walzer' bill: Naoko S

"Onto the main event..... What brought me here, to south of France at the cost of missing Kirov's Balanchine bill, was to see Béjart's 'Le Chant du Compagnon Errant' (Songs of a Wayfarer) that blew my mind when I saw it for the first time exactly a year ago..."

'Spring and Fall' bill: Naoko S

"A few words on classical bits, which turned out to be rather dissappointing, except for wonderful performances by Gilbert in Grand Pas Classique...."

more reviews in Postings Reviews section

San Francisco Ballet

'Spring Rounds' bill: Sheila Cross

"Even more impressive was the pas-de-deux... which had little to do with summer and everything to do with loss: remembered, imagined or actual it was difficult to determine in the mysterious, deeply intimate pairing."


Danish Reviews

Royal Danish Ballet

'3rd Bournonville Festival': Michelle Potter

"I have to admit, however, to feeling a little Bournonvilled-out by the end of nine days. Quite honestly some of the Bournonville repertoire probably should be put out to pasture, or perhaps not paraded so publicly. Take Far from Denmark, a work which describes how Danish naval marines hosted a party on board their ship to repay hospitality they had received while in Buenos Aires."


Hong Kong Reviews

Hong Kong Ballet (HKB)

'The Emperor and the Nightingale': Kevin Ng

"The duets however lacked poetry except for the final pas de deux, and the steps weren't particularly memorable overall. It is in theatrics that the choreographer fares better."

'The Emperor and the Nightingale': Natasha Rogai

"Cut to an hour, The Emperor and the Nightingale would be lively and entertaining. Stretched to an hour and 45 minutes plus two intervals, it drags."


Hong Kong Dance Company

'King of FairyTales': Kevin Ng

"The best is the moving final tale "Little Mermaid", about the mermaid destroying herself to save the prince who has fallen in love with the princess instead of herself. The final tableau with flower petals raining from above is quite spectacular."

'King of FairyTales': Natasha Rogai

"...some of the choreography reminded me of local Las Vegas style shows, or what will soon be on offer in the Kingdom of the Mouse at Penny's Bay. Perhaps HKD is seeking to reach a broader audience, and glitzy, large-scale spectacles are certainly popular here."


Jean M Wong School of Ballet

'Stars of Tomorrow': Kevin Ng

"The highlight was the white act of "Swan Lake" closing the evening. The prince was stylishly danced by a tall corps de ballet dancer from the Kirov Ballet, Sergei Kononenko."


Lyon Opera Ballet

'Tricodex': Kevin Ng

"Not all sections are memorable. Among the best is a section for two women on a flying wire leaping up and down the air supported by their male partners."


UK Reviews

Royal Ballet

'Allegro de Jeunesse' bill: Lynette Halewood

"Scarlett managed a very large cast of varying ages (year 10 and below) with considerable tact and charm and a strong sense of organisation."

'La Sylphide masterclass': John Mallinson

"Englund is obviously attached to Madge. She describes her as a proto bag-lady, an embittered outsider, a damaged person with a hatred of James that is not entirely unjustified. She won't have her as evil personified or some sort of wiccan caricature."


Matthew Bourne

'Highland Fling': Charlotte Kasner

"It is an amusing and enjoyable evening with enough slapstick to maintain momentum although it seems odd that Bourne missed out on reproducing the obvious jokes of the sylph up the chimney, floating down from the window and disappearing through the armchair. See it for high energy performances and great designs but go elsewhere for challenging dancing."


Australian Ballet

'Swan Lake': Jeffery Taylor

"You can scratch the scab of outrage or just enjoy the dancing."

'Swan Lake': Charlotte Kasner

"There are few choreographers who can succeed in changing Petipa/Ivanov but to succeed as well as Graeme Murphy deserves huge acclaim."

'Swan Lake': Bruce Marriott

"A Swan Lake revisited as a powerful 20th century yarn of love, jealousy and betrayal with 'real' people at its core. The opening night audience understandably gave it a standing ovation. A new ballet in reality, it's good to have it alongside traditional versions."

'Swan Lake': Louise Bennett

"This is a truly respectful, innovative and moving version of a ballet which in many people's eyes is the greatest of them all."

'Swan Lake': Tony Newcombe

"Any doubts in my mind about Graham Murphy's Swan Lake were soon dispelled."

'Swan Lake': Stephen Smith

"It is an incredible piece of ballet theatre."


Northern Ballet Theatre

'Dracula': Janet McNulty

"David Nixon has conceived this piece very much as a chamber ballet, only using a corps in the engagement party. All the other scenes use only the main characters. The work has a tense, almost claustrophobic atmosphere.
"I found all the pdd compelling and relevant and the pdd between Mina and Dracula in Act 2 is just stunning – worth the entrance money on its own!"


Adam Cooper Productions

'Les Liaisons Dangereuses': Jeffery Taylor

"Three firsts for dance star Adam Cooper at Sadler's Wells last week; first full length dance work as choreographer; first presentation by his own company and the first time this talented man has missed the point."

'Les Liaisons Dangereuses': Bruce Marriott

"It seems to replace, rather than augment, choreography and dance with obvious acting, sex and singing, none of which really make up the shortfall."

'Les Liaisons Dangereuses': Graham Watts

"My major concern with the characterisations lies within the key portrayals of Valmont and Merteuil. In both cases, their lasciviousness and sexual greed are over-emphasised to the point of absurd caricature..."

'Les Liaisons Dangereuses': Ami Shah

"As Cooper's first full-length dance drama, I think it reflects a lot about him and his influences, perhaps moreso than actually revealing his own voice."

'Les Liaisons Dangereuses': Wulff

"So for me, this production failed to deliver as much as I had hoped..."

'Les Liaisons Dangereuses - Post Performance talk': Mandy

"Adam was interviewed by Donald Hutera who posed many questions, kicking off with the rather clichéd 'What's it like to be a sex symbol?' Let me add that Donald is very witty and he was just teasing Adam to get things started!"

more reviews in Postings Reviews section

Akram Khan and Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui

'Zero Degrees': Jeffery Taylor

"Enjoying the dancing of Akram Khan and Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui in a superb display of symbiotic movement is the main feature of Zero Degrees, a short but satisfyingly intense work."

'Zero Degrees': Lynette Halewood

"A fascinating and many layered event."

'Zero Degrees': Graham Watts

"Cherkaoui's rubber-boned flexibility contrasts with a later solo from Khan, in which his erect body floats across the stage on feet which appear to move on castors. "


Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

'Solo' bill: John Mallinson

" Revelations: "It is worth seeing the programme for this piece alone: it is a shame that they have brought nothing else with the power to match it."


Anna Vnuk

'Anna Vnuk Stages Cats!': Carole Edrich

"It was adventurous, unexpected, clichéd, didn't quite work and was rather too long, but I'll not forget it and look forward to seeing what she comes up with next."


Anton Lachky and Eulalia Ayguade

'Twice Read': Carole Edrich

"'Twice Read' was a challenging piece, executed with stunning technical proficiency. But despite the fact that the Purcell Room normally encourages intimacy I was left feeling empty, unfulfilled and not even sure that the performance had ended."


Ballet Moves

'Cinderella pdd' bill: Jeffery Taylor

"Watching talented dancers spread their wings is always thrilling. However dancing a snippet divested of orchestra, scenery, other dancers and an adoring audience of 2,000, can create serious vacuums."

'Pas-de-deux from Manon' bill: Mandy Kent

"Thursday night ended with a magnificent flower throw, a lovely tribute to the dancers who had given up time from their summer breaks to entertain us. I hope that it will be possible for further evenings of this type in the future, bonding dancers from two different cultures and producing an innovative programme full of new works and fresh ideas."


Ballet Nacional de Cuba

'Magia de la Danza': Jeffery Taylor

"Somewhere beneath the National Ballet of Cuba's current artistic regime is a bunch of dancers waiting to get out. I predict sensational results when they do."

'Giselle': Jane Simpson

"... they have a wealth of fine dancers and a production that ultimately holds its own by its simplicity and dramatic cogency. Now it would be good to see a return visit with a different repertoire to show us how it fits into the world of the twenty-first century."

'Magia de la Danza': Bruce Marriott

"Love it - soaking up the perfume of a 'new' company. It's particularly wonderful with companies like Royal Danish and, as we saw last night at their Sadler's Wells opening, Ballet Nacional de Cuba, because they represent such different traditions and all your dance senses are pushed hither and thither and you realise yet again that classical ballet is a very flexible and movable feast indeed."

'Magia de la Danza': John Mallinson

"Words fail! It looks to me as if Valdés is one of the great Giselles. When may we see her guesting with the Royal Ballet? Please!
"What an irony that probably the most impoverished of national ballet companies is able to produce an endless stream of world-class dancers."

'Magia de la Danza': Alison Penfold

"I couldn't believe the improvement post-interval, and was wondering how it could possibly be the same company. The programme suddenly seemed to come alive with a big extract from "Coppélia", combining the Act I Mazurka and the Pas de Deux from Act III. Probably the main reason for this was the presence of Viengsay Valdés as Swanilda..."

more reviews in Postings Reviews section

Bournonville on Film

'Bournonville on Film': John Mallinson

"Otherwise it was notable for a beautiful portrayal by Evdokimova who, though trained in Germany and at the Royal Ballet School in London, had spent three years with the Royal Danish Ballet in the late 60s and looked as if she had thoroughly absorbed their style."

'Bournonville on Film': Ian Palmer

"The third programme on 21st August, the birthday itself, was entitled "Dancing Bounonville". The first twenty minutes consisted of glorious film footage dating from 1902-06 by the then Court Photographer, Peter Elfeld, of excerpts from Bournonville ballets danced by amongst others Hans Beck."


Cathy Marston

'Ghosts': Bruce Marriott

"A piece where all the components are honed and slot perfectly together to convey a painful story. It worked for me and this is more 'readable' than some other new takes on story ballets that have gone on stage at the Opera House over the last 10 years."

'Ghosts': Graham Watts

"Marston's strength in telling complex stories with stark simplicity improves with every new work and she seems destined to fill a niche that has been empty for a very long time."

'Ghosts': Louise Bennett

"One last word should go to Jenny Tattersall, her strong, lively, dramatic dancing is always a pleasure to watch."


Flamenco Gala

'Flamenco Saves the Children': Carole Edrich

"His (Grilo's) flamenco is always a pleasure to watch; communication at its best, with zapateado (footwork), hand, body and arm movements used as punctuation or emphasis in the stories he danced."


Forsythe Company

'The Room As It Was' bill: Graham Watts

"There is a nice snook being cocked here: the fact that the Ballett Frankfurt's last-ever works have continued into the first-ever works of The Forsythe Company (rather than starting life with something entirely new) is a contemptuous gesture to those who brought about the original company's demise. The future now looks very bright for Forsythe and his collaborators (most of whom we would call the dancers)."

'The Room As It Was' bill: Ann Williams

"Well, sorry, but I personally found the entire programme disappointingly slick and shallow."


Genee International Ballet Competition

'Genee International Ballet Competition': Graham Watts

"The Genée International Ballet Competition 2006 will move to Hong Kong - will the Commonwealth maintain its clean sweep of the prizes next year?"

'Genee International Ballet Competition': Louise Bennett

"This is an important event and provides opportunities for young dancers. It was a long but enjoyable evening, enhanced by a performance from Agnes Oaks and Thomas Edur."

more reviews in Postings Reviews section

Generating Company

'Lactic Acid': Bruce Marriott

"Does it Work? Sadly no - it proved the worst night I've spent in the theatre in 5 years."


Images of Dance

'Kingdom of the Shades (Bayadere)' bill: Carole Edrich

"I found the overall effect to be profoundly sensual and was left with an impression of just-missed-meaning, a reminder of those times I've felt I might actually be part of a greater pattern in life but can't quite comprehend what it is. "Viatore" made my evening and I look forward to seeing what Marston does next."

more reviews in Postings Reviews section

Independent Ballet Wales

'A Midsummer Night’s Dream': BeccaKing

"The ballet is a mixture of classical dance, mime and, in this case, stomping about in boots...the company held the audience rapt."


Momix

'Opus Cactus': Charlotte Kasner

"Two sections saw the performers sliding around on the stage on trucks that unintentionally provided a metaphor for the whole evening: they resembled planchettes on a Ouija board but, like the Ouija board, presented a slight parlour game revealing nothing beyond superficial amusement."


Pennsylvania Ballet

'Swan Lake': Lynette Halewood

"The run sold out completely and was very popular with the audience. Attractive as it was to look at, I still yearn for a Swan Lake that makes you cry."

'Swan Lake': Sheila Cross

"All in all, an interesting but ultimately disappointing production, featuring an admirable company. As Wheeldon's first three-acter it adds an extra notch to his experience, but in no way matches the best of his neo-classical ballets."

more reviews in Postings Reviews section

Random Dance Company

'Amu': Lynette Halewood

"Your reactions to this piece will depend very heavily on your feelings for Tavener's music and whether for you it is entrancing or stupefying. It's a strange evening with flashes of real beauty and moments where it all comes together but not quite convincing as a theatrical experience as a whole."

more reviews in Postings Reviews section

Shakti

'Anne of Green Gables' bill: Trog Woolley

"I like Shakti for her honesty - she constantly gets slagged off and yet she is not discouraged. She continues to produce new and exciting works and does it her way."


Streetdance Championships

'Streetdance Championships 2005': Louise Bennett

"Although competitive, there was also a great sense of solidarity amongst all that were present, something that the ballet world seems to somehow miss out on. I hope to return to the championships next year."


Swansea Ballet Russe

'Swansea Ballet Russe and and Temma Ballet School Gala': Trog Woolley

"Swansea Ballet Russe and and Temma Ballet School Gala"


Yorkshire Ballet Seminars

'Gala Evening': Mandy

"It was an immensely enjoyable evening and has hopefully raised funds and awareness to enable the Yorkshire Ballets Seminars to continue with their marvellous work."


Japan Reviews

K Ballet

'Summer Triple Bill': Satoko Kamatani

" Prodigal Son: "There was just a naked spirit of Kumakawa himself as a brilliant dancer and a pure,truthful performer. The reaction of audience was very impressive and hearty applause.I felt it was a long journey, in spite of just 45 minutes,as if we were also traveling with him. His acting was not pretended, so deep and full of truth..."


World Expo

'World Exp - Spanish Dance': Paul Williams

"There were plenty of highlights:
"i. Tamara Rojo and Igor Yebra; The Corsair pdd: This was good throughout, but Tamara Rojo produced an astonishing set of fouettes -even better than those in the black act of Swan Lake earlier this year..."

---

External Review Links
American Ballet Theatre 'Swan Lake': Eric Taub
Paris Opera Ballet 'Romeo Juliet': Naoko S
Kirov Ballet 'Forsythe programme': Ami Shah
Kirov Ballet 'Romeo and Juliet': Naoko S
Kirov Ballet 'Swan Lake': Kevin Ng
Kirov Ballet 'Swan Lake': DaveM
Kirov Ballet 'Swan Lake': StephenR
George Piper Dances 'Naked': Janet McNulty
George Piper Dances 'Naked': BeccaKing
Northern Ballet Theatre 'Dracula': Janet McNulty
Northern Ballet Theatre 'Dracula': Mandy
Scottish Ballet 'Apollo' bill: Janet McNulty
Adam Cooper Productions 'Les Liaisons Dangereuses': Mandy Kent
Adam Cooper Productions 'Les Liaisons Dangereuses': HimInDoors
Ballet Central 'Simple Symphony' bill: Ann Williams
Ballet Nacional de Cuba 'Magia de la Danza': Bruce Wall
Genee International Ballet Competition 'Genee International Ballet Competition': John Mallinson
Genee International Ballet Competition 'Genee International Ballet Competition': Alison Penfold
Images of Dance 'Kingdom of the Shades (Bayadere)' bill: Mandy Kent
Pennsylvania Ballet 'Swan Lake': Carly Gillies
Random Dance Company 'Amu': Wulff

---

External Review Links
Each day Ballet.co scour the world for Review links (and news and interviews ones too) and put them in our database along with our own reviews. You can see the last few days' links on our TodaysLinks page In this last 91 days period we have 668 links for you: click here

Alternatively try searching for exactly what you are after with our: Reviews Advanced Search page

All our links list dancer details, a full list of pieces performed and a brief quote that gives the flavour of the review. Sadly not all papers maintain their links and so we cannot absolutely guarantee any particular URL. Enjoy, and if you think we have missed a review do send us a link.

---

Photographic Copyright and Credits

All photographs are copyright and cannot be taken and/or used elsewhere. Click on an image to be taken to the associated page where appropriate credits are stated.

The ballet.co Screensaver

What professional site would be complete without a screensaver! Courtesy of Louis we bring you the ballet.co screensaver and its absolutely free.

You need to be running Windows 95 and we can deliver it in 2 ways depending on if you have the capability to handle zip files (or not). Zip files are smaller and hence load much quicker, but you need special software to decode them. If you are not sure best to use the larger exe file.

Once its on your machine, double click on install.exe, it will tell you the screensaver is installed, then go into the control panel, double click on display and follow your nose to the screensaver section where you should find our ballet one listed. Here are the links to get the screensaver;

      ballet.co screensaver as an zip file (1132Kb)
      ballet.co screensaver as an exe file (2293kb)

These are not small files and might take more than a few minutes to load. The screensaver has been produced using professional software and as such should work on all (Windows95) machines. We can't however offer guarantees (though we would be gob-smacked if there are any probs). Enjoy!