The whirlwind of dance shows is finally quietening down, however November still has some major treats for us with Rambert and Ballet Black performing this week, and the latest Royal Ballet triple bill opening on Saturday. And don't miss out on Manon or Some Like It Hip Hop - only a few shows left of each! Also not to miss are Katie Green and Hagit Yakira - enjoy!
Highlights
Ballet Black: 16 November
Artsdepot
Tickets & details: artsdepot.co.uk/event_details.php?sectionid=dance&eventid=1472&searchid=current (returns only)
This is Ballet Black's final performance of their 10th anniversary tour, featuring works by Henri Oguike, Antonia Franceschi, and Will Tuckett's narrative ballet Orpheus.
The show is sold out but there may be returns; it's definitely worth going to see what makes this company so special - otherwise, make sure to catch them at the Royal Opera House in February / March: www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=17971
Royal Ballet, Asphodel Meadows / Enigma Variations / Gloria: 19 - 30 November
Tickets & details: www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=17621
A friend recently asked if this triple bill would be suitable for her nephew, who's never watched dance, and the unanimous response was "Yes, yes and yes".
'Asphodel Meadows', the highlight of this triple bill, was choreographed by rising star Liam Scarlett, still only a First Artist within the company. 'Enigma Variations', choreographed by Frederick Ashton, is a celebration of Elgar's music, while Kenneth MacMillan's 'Gloria' is a response to the horrors and futility of war.
Royal Ballet, Manon: 15, 17 & 26 November
Royal Opera House
Tickets & details: www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=16853
There are only four performances left of the current production of Manon, and each performance promises to be a treat, with stellar performances from each of the leads. Lauren Cuthbertson and Sergei Polunin perform tonight (15th); Rupert Pennefather and Sarah Lamb perform on the 17th, Steven McRae and Roberta Marquez for the matinée on the 26th, and Marianela Nunez and Nehemiah Kish in the evening of the 26th.
There's lots to love in this ballet, from the minutiae of the additional characters thronging the stage, to Lescaut's Drunken Scene, and of course the beautiful dancing and acting of the lead dancers. One to savour.
Some Like It Hip Hop: to 19 November
Peacock Theatre
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/ZooNation-Some-Like-It-Hip-Hop
There's only a few days left to see this lovable production by Zoonation which has had audiences and critics raving since its opening last month. Tommy Franzén, Lizzie Gough and Teneisha Bonner are spectacular in it and it's hard not to be dazzled by the dancing, storytelling and singing.
Worth Catching
Rambert Dance Company: 15 - 19 November
Sadler's Wells
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Rambert-Dance-Company-2011
Rambert's latest programme includes a brand new work by artistic director Mark Baldwin, a world premiere of Javier De Frutos's (of The Most Incredible Thing fame, and of In The Spirit of Diaghilev infamy) latest work, inspired by the life and work of Tennessee Williams. Rambert will also be performing Merce Cunningham's RainForest: people in the front rows, watch out for the flying pillows!
Katie Green: 17 November - CANCELLED DUE TO DANCER ILLNESS
Rich Mix
Tickets & details: www.richmix.org.uk/whats-on/event/matters-of-life-and-death/
A rare opportunity to see work by the acclaimed award-winning choreographer Katie Green, which re-imagines a key scene from Graham Swift’s novel Waterland, in which a body is found floating in a Fenland sluice. Through collage and fragmentary re-tellings of this scene, five dancers examine some of the many differing emotional responses to a traumatic event.
Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker & Jérome Bel: 21 & 22 November
Sadler's Wells
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Anne-Teresa-De-Keersmaeker-Jerome-Bel
This is a collaboration by the legendary Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker (of Rosas) and the experimental Jérome Bel to attempt to choreograph to an extract of Gustav Mahler's 'Song of the Earth'. Will they succeed?
Cloud Dance Festival Corner
Hagit Yakira
Jacksons Lane, 17 November
Tickets & details: www.jacksonslane.org.uk/whats-on/event/2011/sunday-morning/
Laban Theatre, 18 & 19 November
Tickets & details: www.trinitylaban.ac.uk/labantheatre
In case you haven't yet seen Hagit Yakira's Sunday Morning, or if you want to see it again, her physical theatre work about four flatmates returns for three more performances.