© John Ross RB 'Les Patineurs' reviews 'Les Patineurs' reviews 'Tales of Beatrix Potter' reviews McRae in reviews Choe in reviews recent RB reviews more Lynette Halewood reviews Discuss this review (Open for at least 6 months)

McRae in the December performance had a distinct look-at-me stage manner as the Blue Boy, with some of the fastest spins I may have ever seen. Though even he looked from time to time as if some of the steps were harder than he'd initially thought. Paul Kay on the 5th January looked relaxed and as if he was having a marvellous time. His final pirouettes may not have been as fast as McRae's but it was a very clean, crisp performance with a nice feeling for the music. Choe was the fouettee girl on 5 Jan and took a lot of risks, very nearly lost it but carried on with a couple more doubles, refusing to play safe. Lovely movement of her upper body in general.
 

As for TOBP, there were some admirable performances in there, under the bulky costumes. It forces you to look at Jemima Puddleduck's feet - very rewarding in the case of Laura Morera. I particularly admired Ricardo Cervera as Johnny Town-Mouse, which really did look like Ashton choreography in his hands (or should that be feet ?). Very fast, precise and cleanly articulated. I particularly liked the way that his dance with the umbrella at the picnic came across as a music-hall comic turn, which I'm sure was the intention.