When the announcer welcomed the audience to the first post-pandemic ballet at Covent Garden last night the response from a packed house, was electric. It was the collective expression of relief and joy after 18 months of isolation. And what a show to welcome us back. Romeo and Juliet is one of the greatest in the repertoire. Combining the plot of Shakespeare, the music of Prokofiev, the choreography of MacMillan, the set designs of Georgiadis and the conducting of Kessels it would be … [Read more...]
Reviews of Ballet in London
If you are planning to visit London to see a ballet in London, then maybe our London ballet reviews section can be of help? Read one of the latest reviews or use the search button to find and view one of our previous reviews of ballet. We use a star rating system on our site.
William Forsythe – A Quiet Evening of Dance
Take the title of choreographer William Forsythe’s A Quiet Evening of Dance literally. For the first forty-five minutes of this show, the only sound you’ll hear is a sometimes soundtrack of distant birds singing quietly and the dancers breathing. The house lights are left up, you’re visible and there’s no set. It’s all black on black with occasional highlights of grating colour in the form of what looks a lot like coloured rubber gloves. The consequence is the audience is left uncomfortable, exposed physically and emotionally in their familiar Sadler’s seats, tested on an actual appreciation of choreography with no comfort blankets and nowhere to hide.
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Dances at a Gathering / The Cellist | Live Screening | Review
Dances at a Gathering / The Cellist is a magnificent double bill from the Royal Ballet, which I saw last night in a live screening at the Curzon Richmond. The Cellist tells the story of the triumph and tragedy of Jacqueline du Pre. Triumph because she became the most famous and glamorous cellist in the world and tragic because she was dead by 28, cruelly cut down by multiple sclerosis. The choreographer Cathy Marston’s idea, to make the cello a character is a masterstroke. We see the ballet … [Read more...]
English National Ballet 70th Anniversary Gala | Review
What a night. English National Ballet celebrated its platinum anniversary with a feast of music, dance and reminiscence. Archive film footage showed key moments in the evolution of the London Festival Ballet (coined to cash in on the post war Festival of Britain at the Festival Hall) from humble beginnings in 1950 to the change of name to English National Ballet and the move to the London Coliseum. Pre-recorded interviews featuring past directors and dancers brought to life the history of the … [Read more...]
The Sleeping Beauty at Curzon Richmond Cinema | Review
This is a leaping, weeping, sleeping beauty that like Mary Poppins is practically perfect in every way. The sets are gorgeous, the costumes are tremendous, the music is spine-tingling, the dancing is unmatched, the choreography is superb, the conductor Barry Wordsworth is outstanding and Ross MacGibbon’s direction for the screen catches every nuance of every movement. In short this is the definitive production of The Sleeping Beauty. The roll call of the great and the good of the ballet world … [Read more...]
English National Ballet’s Le Corsaire at London Coliseum | Review
A red carpet occasion to celebrate ENB’s 70th Anniversary and a host of stars on stage and in the audience. From my seat I was in touching distance of Darcey Bussell, Fiona Bruce, Sir Ian McKellen, Bruno Tonioli and Bill Nighy to name a few. On stage we were treated to a cornucopia of delights; stunning sets taking us into the luxurious and cruel world of the Ottoman Empire, sparkling costumes of red and gold, painted backdrops in the style of Delacroix and Hiroshige gorgeous music (Adolph Adam, … [Read more...]