Ballet.co Magazine
August 2006

Next Ballet.co magazine - September 2006
Previous Ballet.co magazine - June 2006

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Quick Links for this magazine
Interviews, Features, In the Galleries, Reviews, Postings Reviews, External Reviews, Photographic Copyright and Credits

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Interviews



Yuri Possokhov
The newly appointed resident choreographer of San Francisco Ballet has just made a Cinderella for the Bolshoi - Renee Renouf asked him all about creating movement and his latest work...


Ruslan Pronin
The Bolshoi first soloist really caught Charlotte Kasner's eye and so she decided to have a word...

Jackson Competition Interviews
or the
VIII USA IBC International Ballet Competition
Renee Renouf winds up her coverage by interviewing some of the Jackson regulars...

Konstanze Vernon German Representative

Deborah Hess International School tacher

Bruce Marks Chair of the USA IBC Jury

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In the Galleries

Currently our Images Gallery contains approximately 2300 images.

John Ross Photographs
Albums added in July 2006...


Kirov/Mariinsky
Shostakovich triple bill
London, Coliseum - July 2006



Carlos Acosta & Friends
London, Sadler's Wells - July 2006



Kirov/Mariinsky
The Golden Age publicity shots
London, Coliseum - July 2006

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Features


Nijinsky in Exhibition
Renee Renouf on an Asian Art Museum exhibition with a bit of Nijinsky.


So, You Want to Learn to Dance?
Another in the series from Anjuli Bai:
PGood Fuel In - Good Energy Out...

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Diaries and weblogs


Jatkko Lehmus weblog...
the Scottish Ballet dancer who tells it like no other.
"Home And Away" brought to you by Red Bull Jarkko does 4527 miles on holiday in Europe. Turku was not a high spot...       (weblog home)



Ballet Central weblog
Each year we follow some final-year Central School of Ballet students through their final training, UK tour and hunt for jobs. The 2006 diarists - Julia Davies, Katherine Hollinson and Robert Phillips have now finished their course and are off to pastures new, be it a new job or further auditioning......
July diaries,       (Weblog Home)

Other weblog writers
(but not writing in the last month):
Carole Edrich
Madame Galina
Christopher Hampson
Peter Quanz
Jessica Wright

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Reviews

USA Reviews

New York City Ballet

'Swan Lake': Eric Taub

"City Ballet seems to regard Saratoga as the Land of Eternal Matinees, and many of the performances last night were paler than in New York City. Maybe that's why Daniel Ulbricht felt called upon to serve up the ne plus ultra of hyper-caffeinated Jesters."

'Divertimento weekend' bill: Kevin Ng

"There is nothing in dance comparable to a real Balanchine experience. There is something almost spiritual about Balanchine's ballets cleansing one's eyes, ears, and intellect."


American Ballet Theatre

'Swan Lake': Eric Taub

"Part's Odette/Odile was stunning, and the best I've seen this year. It's hard not to watch Part and think of ABT's statuesque swan of decades ago, Martine van Hamel, although aside from stature they're entirely different dancers."


Jackson International Ballet Competition

'Jackson Gala programme': Renee Renouf

"For all my slight quubbles, this eighth Jackson Competition may not have had the sublime artistic expression resulting in a Grand Prix award, but the over all level of dancing was supremely high."

'Jackson Showcase': Renee Renouf

"In all, the Showcase is an innovation worth repeating and possibly it will influence favorably future choreographic choices."


Russian Reviews

Mariinsky Ballet

'White Nights Festival': Aya Nishikiori

" Jewels: "The performance started at 22:00 and with two long intermissions, it ended at 01:00 AM. The sky outside was still mysteriously blue (it's the white night!), the color immediately made me think of Balanchine's “Serenade”. I was happy to have seen that the Mariinsky Ballet had brought Balanchine back to Russia and now they seem to have made his ballets completely their own."


French Reviews

Paris Opera Ballet

'Lady of the Camelias' bill: Janet McNulty

"On Friday night we saw Eleonora Abbagnato and Benjamin Pech. They were terrific. Saturday night turned out to be one of the most memorable and wonderful performances I have ever seen. Agnes Letestu was a truly moving Marguerite and her magnificent Armand was guest artist Jiri Bubenicek."


Italian Reviews

La Scala Ballet

'Dido and Aeneas': Marike van Aerde

"...an enjoyable and at times even truly satisfying experience. Had the choreography been less 'trademark McGregor' and more original in regard to its interpretation of the music, it might have been an artistic success as well as an enjoyable modern performance."


German Reviews

Hamburg Ballet

'Ein Sommernachtstraum (Midsummer Night's Dream)': Norman Reynolds

"Hamburg audiences tend to reserve their applause to the end, but on this occasion there were so many brilliant performances that applause was inevitable. At one time the orchestra had to play forte forte to break through the applause and keep up with the flowing action."

'Fenster Zu MOZART': Norman Reynolds

"Characteristic of John Neumeier, it is a highly complex work, or rather he takes highly complex source material, rationalises it, and in the process finds his choreographic inspiration..."

'Jewels, Requiem' bill: Norman Reynolds

" Rubies: "It was unusual and interesting to see Hamburg Ballet dancing a non-Neumeier work, but their high standards and broad-based skills were well up to this demanding work – another gem for their repertoire."


Spanish Reviews

Royal Ballet

'Romeo and Juliet': Gillian Marshall

"We had booked to go and see this on a bit of a whim: the London weather was miserable, the RB season was coming to an end and we loved the ballet in March. It proved to be a rather good decision..."


Hong Kong Reviews

Introdans Ensemble for Youth

'Comedy': Natasha Rogai

"Comedy was a delightful evening, and an ideal way to get children to enjoy dance while providing quality entertainment for adults, too."


UK Reviews

Mariinsky Ballet

'Shostakovich mixed bill': Jeffery Taylor

" Bedbug: "The whole mad parade superbly illustrates the Russians' saving grace, an acute sense of the ridiculous and the ability to relish a great deal of silliness."

'Shostakovich mixed bill': Bruce Marriott

"The Kirov still have all the ingredients - they just need better repertoire than these 50 year old minor works."

'Shostakovich mixed bill': Ian Palmer

"I'll take the dancers and Shostakovich, please and Gergiev can keep the choreography."

'The Golden Age': Lynette Halewood

"It's possible to imagine this fairly easily being given by a modest regional British company with a cast of 30 or so. But the Mariinsky needs something on a grander scale, with a creativity and inventiveness which measures up to the sweep of the score and the talent of its dancers."

more reviews in Postings Reviews section

Carlos Acosta

'Carlos Acosta with Guest Artists': Jeffery Taylor

"Liberated at the end of the Royal Ballet's gruelling 75th Anniversary season at Covent Garden, Acosta and Friends danced their hearts out last week at Sadler's Wells Theatre in a superbly shaped programme of excerpts and exhibition pieces."

'Carlos Acosta with Guest Artists': Graham Watts

"The mixed programme which he and nine buddies performed was well co-ordinated and impressively executed, providing an evening in which a contagious passion for dance spread from the performers to become endemic, infecting the audience through exhilarating virtuosity, heart-rending romance and exquisite technique."

'Carlos Acosta with Guest Artists': John Mallinson

"We are fortunate to be seeing Acosta at the summit of his powers. Long may it last."


Birmingham Royal Ballet

'La Fille Mal Gardee': Janet McNulty

"I've just seen my final six BRB performances of the year, with La Fille Mal Garde at the Lowry and they have all been excellent with three, in my opinion, outstanding."

more reviews in Postings Reviews section

Fabulous Beast Dance Theatre

'The Flowerbed': John Mallinson

"This is an unsettling drama but, clever and entertaining as it sometimes is, it leaves a bitter taste and an unhappy suspicion that the creator feels a disdain for most of his characters."


De La Guarda

'Fuerzabruta': Carole Edrich

"While not as engaging, visceral or short as I'd like, it's still fantastic fun and an experience I'd recommend."


Royal Ballet School

'Linbury School Show': Bruce Marriott

"...it started with White Lodge going through all their national dance routines... being old I'm a real sucker for the charm of all this. It also always reminds me of de Valois's credo about ones national dancing informing the art."

'RBS Graduation show for 2006': Terry Amos

" Step by Step: "Of all the pieces the School performed, this is the one I enjoyed most and it showed that there is an abundance of good prospects in the Lower School."

'RBS Graduation show for 2006': Michael LL

"Serenade was most beautifully done, with great polish and style. The corps were splendidly well drilled."

'Linbury School Show': Celine Tan

"Congratulations to all. Thank you for putting up a brilliant show, and to share your joy with us."

more reviews in Postings Reviews section

Images of Dance

'Pineapple Poll' bill: Louise Bennett

"Images of Dance provides invaluable experience for these dancers, and from this evening's performance, produces dancers who are ready to continue their dance careers in professional companies."

'Pineapple Poll' bill: Mandy Kent

" Poll: " All in all it was a very satisfying and entertaining account and a lovely end to the evening."

more reviews in Postings Reviews section

Jazz Dance Company

'Echoes of Ellington – A Tribute, Bronte' bill: Ian Palmer

"According to the statistics, every single West End musical has a graduate of the London Studio Centre in its cast. On the strength of this performance, this is a tradition set to continue. All of the dancers must now begin their careers. Whatever they do, whether big or small, good luck to them all, and remember the off-beat."


Ballet Central

'Overleap' bill: Bruce Marriott

"...I hope Christopher Gable, way up above, is very proud of what he started."


Swansea Ballet Russe and Temma Ballet School

'Gala': Trog Woolley

"Top marks to the ever hard working Welsh Russians and their visiting Japanese students. A very entertaining afternoon. For me, the annual Ballet Russe/Temma Ballet School soiree is a highlight of the year - I await next years with anticipation."



In depth coverage of ROH2's summer season of new work...


Jacqui Chan

'ROH2 - newcurrents: Fragrant Orchid': Bruce Marriott

"I'd see Jacqui Chan again in anything - there's wonderful taste here."


Jackie Guy

'ROH2 - newcurrents: Innings 84 Not Out': Bruce Marriott

"...was full of sincerity and love and that above all else carried it to a successful conclusion. Bless."


Anh Ng Dance

'ROH2 - newcurrents: Shadow': Bruce Marriott

"However there was some redemption in the dancing of Anh Hah Nguyen: I might have detested his choreography and production but he's a good mover and grabs your attention."


Chitra Sundaram

'ROH2 - newcurrents: aMhas - The immortal sin': Bruce Marriott

"...a privilege to see a great artist move so differently from close to."


Isira Makuloluwe

'ROH2 - newcurrents': Ian Palmer

"Makuloluwe is a dancer who seems to galvanize space, whose strength and will predominates. He holds the eye with a feline grace and muscular rhythm – technically pristine, he seems to reduce dance movement to its minutiae."


Stella Uppal Subbiah

'ROH2 - newcurrents: Meenakshi': Charlotte Kasner

"...a pleasing piece of kathkali classicism, competently performed and just the right length."


Francis Angol

'ROH2 - newcurrents: Rituals of Entrapment': Charlotte Kasner

"Angol has a fluid muscularity that deserves to be seen in interesting, challenging choreography, not spurious attempts to communicate cultural clichés using dance."


Andile Sotiya

'ROH2 - newcurrents: Still/Here': Charlotte Kasner

"His technique was insecure in places and it became embarrassing watching him grunt and mumble..."


Saju Hari

'ROH2 - newcurrents: ReURGENT': Charlotte Kasner

"Peculiar typing does not an interesting dance work make."


Annie pui ling Lok

'ROH2 - Something Big: Turf': Charlotte Kasner

"...a sort of extended Tai Chi demonstration with a bit of contact improvisation thrown in."


Joanne Fong

'ROH2 - Something Big: Open Spaces - Tidal Edits': Charlotte Kasner

"...yet another fruitless collaboration between video and dance - or rather juxtaposition of video and dance as any collaboration was not apparent in the performance."


Miro Dance Theatre

'ROH2 - Something Big: Hurdy Gurdy or Dreams of Mahler Thrice Removed': Charlotte Kasner

"I found myself gripping the edge of my seat in case poor Antony Tudor's subterranean rotations became seismic."


Sally Doughty

'ROH2 - Something Big: A Dance for Radio': Ian Palmer

"...a well-knit multi-faceted composition which is ultimately satisfying in its humour and intelligence."


Colin Poole

'ROH2 - Something Big: The Box Office': Ian Palmer

"...a gimmick-ridden socio-political harangue."


Sarah Warsop

'ROH2 - Something Big: Whiff': Ian Palmer

"The dance movement is rounded, the language is delicate - a poignant, gentle work which I hope we get to see again."


Janis Claxton

'ROH2 - Something Big: Blue': John Mallinson

"Claxton held the stage effortlessly for the 25 minutes of her piece."


Mark Bruce

'ROH2 - Something Big: Green Apples': John Mallinson

"A good exploration of different responses to a heavy rock score, going with it, going against it."


Tanja Raman

'ROH2 - Something Big: Kuuluako': John Mallinson

"This was a relationship piece but one in which the dancers scarcely interacted."


KJ Holmes

'ROH2 - Something Big: Constellation - Higher Octave': John Mallinson

"The evening ended not with a bang but a rooty toot toot, a light-hearted semi-improvised performance..."


Zoe Dimitriou

'ROH2 - Something Big: Can You See Me': John Mallinson

"Zoe Dimitriou got away with all this amusing post-modern gallimaufry, just."


Marina Collard

'ROH2 - Something Big: Watching Paint Dry': John Mallinson

"This uncertainty about what, if anything, is happening or might happen was well conveyed and was very tolerable for the piece's just over 10 minutes."

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Postings Reviews section
Mariinsky Ballet (Kirov) 'Shostakovich mixed bill': Wulff
Mariinsky Ballet (Kirov) 'The Golden Age': Ian Palmer
Royal Ballet School 'Colour Blind, Jabula' bill: Student
Carlos Acosta 'Carlos Acosta with Guest Artists': DaveM
Carlos Acosta 'Carlos Acosta with Guest Artists': Pippa Lang
Birmingham Royal Ballet 'Apollo' bill: Janet McNulty
Images of Dance 'Pineapple Poll' bill: Robert
Yorkshire Ballet Seminars 'La Sylphide pdd' bill: Lynne Lobley

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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 the:
TodaysLinks page

In the period from 1 July to 31 July (last update of this page) we have 243 links for you.

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.

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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.

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