Category Archives: Ballet

Cinematic storytelling in English National Ballet’s fine Romeo and Juliet

Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet *** English National Ballet, Southampton, 31st October 2015 Death lurks around every corner in Rudolf Nureyev’s Romeo and Juliet, created for English National Ballet (then named London Festival Ballet) back in 1977 and energetically performed here. Soon … Continue reading

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Lacking a sense of abandon: Cranko’s Onegin at Staatsballett Berlin

Tchaikovsky: Onegin *** Staatsballett Berlin, Schiller Theater, 8th October 2015 “Happiness was once so near us.” That line from Tchaikovsky’s opera Eugene Onegin  should be crushing, the tender moment when Onegin and Tatyana realise what could have been. That final … Continue reading

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In the Shade: Kolesnikova outshone in La Bayadère at the Coliseum

Minkus: La Bayadère ** St Petersburg Ballet Theatre, Coliseum, 22nd August 2015 In the absence of a visiting Mariinsky or Bolshoi company during the summer hiatus, London’s balletomanes could get their classical ballet fix via the St Petersburg Ballet Theatre, the … Continue reading

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A touch of Disney: Wheeldon’s glossy Cinderella sweeps into London

Prokofiev: Cinderella *** Dutch National Ballet, Coliseum, 8th July 2015 No fairy godmother. No clock. No pumpkin. Christopher Wheeldon can be forgiven for eschewing these traditional fairy tale elements in his version of Cinderella for a moment of sheer magic at … Continue reading

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Morera and Muntagirov flood La Fille mal gardée with spring sunshine at The Royal Ballet

Hérold: La Fille mal gardée **** The Royal Ballet, Royal Opera House, 16th April 2015 Considering its French title, Sir Frederick Ashton’s ballet La Fille mal gardée is quintessentially English. It is an affectionate depiction of his beloved Suffolk, all maypoles, butter … Continue reading

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