This dance show is a glitter-strewn staging performed by the Brazilian dance company CIA Suave with choreography by Alice Ripoli. The ensemble presents on stage a group dynamic similar to student friends in the UK, describing them sharing and relishing their new adulthood and sexuality, a sex life. However beyond a Tik Tok form of physical prowess on stage there didn’t seem much else to discover in the show, leaving a distinct impression of superficiality. There was an attempt to … [Read more...]
Northern Ballet – The Great Gatsby – Sadler’s Wells
There are some stories made to be danced and The Great Gatsby turns out to be one of these. Ten years after the premiere of this ballet, Northern Ballet’s fine production, choreographed by David Nixon CBE, is a pacy dance pleasure with a poignant poetic core. Pleasingly this balletic interpretation of the story, now one hundred years old, is less readily judgemental than otherwise portrayed. This makes it both surprising and engaging. The sneering class judgment usually laid on … [Read more...]
Skid by Damien Jalet and SAABA by Sharon Eyal
Skid is a contemporary dance popular hit as well as being both innovative and significant. Choreographed by Damien Jalet and performed at Sadler’s by Goteborgs Operans Danskompani, Sweden’s daring and international contemporary dance company, the work mesmerises and intrigues. Brilliantly chilly lighting in black and white by lighting designer, Joakim Brink, confuses in Skid’s opening moments. Is this a film or real life? It’s real. The stage has been transformed into an icy-looking slope … [Read more...]
Russell Maliphant Dance Company Vortex at Sadler’s Wells
This is a rewarding piece of work superbly danced by the dancers of the Russell Maliphant’s Dance Company. The bridge of connection between Jackson Pollock’s dynamic, expressionist works of art and dance is an excellent find by prominent choreographer and director, Russell Maliphant. He has used successfully used works of artists as a frame for his choreography before, previously inspired by Diaghilev’s sketches and August Rodin’s sculptures. To have spent any time with Jackson … [Read more...]
Jack v Giant at the Polka Theatre
Based in Wimbledon the delightful Polka Theatre has been making theatre for children aged 0-13 since 1979. Its latest production, Jack v Giant, running to 26th March has been written by Polka’s Artistic Director and CEO, Peter Glanville, and Barb Jungr. Directed by Roman Stefanski, Jack v Giant is a clever, dual-layered musical. One layer connects with children in terms they understand while the other offers adults capitalism and the unequal distribution of wealth in our society to think … [Read more...]