What To See

Weekly Roundup: 16 April

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Category: What To See
Published: Monday, 16 April 2012 14:50
Written by Cloud Dance Festival

Spring is here, which means one thing... Spring Loaded finally opens at The Place! Over at Sadler's Wells, the hotly-anticipated Royal Ballet Flanders are presenting William Forsythe's Artifact, while at Royal Opera House, the final performances of the Royal Ballet's current triple bill are underway.


Royal Ballet: Polyphonia, Sweet Violets & Carbon Life - 18 April
Royal Opera House
Tickets & details (returns & day tickets only): www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=18146

The Royal Ballet's latest triple bill is finally drawing to a close, with only two performances remaining: this week's performance, on Wednesday, features the star-studded first cast, with one of the few remaining opportunities to see Tamara Rojo before she departs to take up the Artistic Directorship at English National Ballet.

This triple bill might appear as something of a mission statement of where the Royal Ballet currently finds itself, with works by its current in-house choreographers: a revival of Christopher Wheeldon's Polyphonia, originally created for the New York City Ballet; Liam Scarlett's first narrative ballet, and another no-holds-barred work by Wayne McGregor.

Wheeldon's Polyphonia has received rave reviews from the press, and more divided feedback from audiences; if you loved Wheeldon's Alice, you'll love this - and you'll no doubt recognise a few sections. Liam Scarlett's Sweet Violets explores the world of artist Walter Sickert at the time of the Jack The Ripper murders; while not perfect, it's still a very entertaining piece with some lovely duets. The pièce de resistance is Wayne McGregor's Carbon Life, which features outlandish costumes by Gareth Pugh, music by Mark Ronson and vocals by Black Cobain, Alison Mosshart and Boy George, among others. It's one of McGregor's better works, and the music will stay with you long afterwards.


Royal Ballet Flanders: Artifact - 19 - 21 April
Sadler's Wells
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Royal-Ballet-of-Flanders-Artifact

Royal Ballet Flanders has been in the news rather too much recently for the wrong reasons: initially it was under threat of severe funding cuts, and more recently, its artistic director, Kathryn Bennetts, has resigned in protest at the Belgian government's plans for the company's future.

Described by Time Out as "technically excellent and artistically daring", Royal Ballet Flanders will be presenting Artifact, a William Forsythe work from 1984 which will combine neoclassical technique with theatrical flourishes.


Spring Loaded: Darren Ellis Dance & Robert Clark - 17 April
The Place
Tickets & details: www.theplace.org.uk/12707/whats-on/robert-clark-darren-ellis-dance.html

Spring Loaded is The Place's annual springtime season, featuring some of the exciting up-and-coming names in contemporary dance, with many unmissable performances, with past performances by New Art Club, among others.

Darren Ellis has worked with many of this country's leading contemporary dance companies, including New Adventures, Random Dance and Richard Alston Dance Company, and his work is usually theatrical and highly entertaining. Robert Clark will be presenting an unconventional love story, "with references to the films of Terrence Malick, David Lynch and Guillermo del Toro".


Cloud Dance Festival Corner

Spring Loaded: James Wilton - 20 April
The Place
Tickets & details: www.theplace.org.uk/12714/whats-on/sofia-dias-vitor-roriz-james-wilton.html

The darling of the contemporary dance industry, James Wilton has been accumulating awards and acclaim even before graduating from London Contemporary Dance School, having won Sadler's Wells' Global Dance Contest, and is now a BBC Performing Arts Fellow in partnership with Swindon Dance. Fresh from creating a new work for Oper Graz, James Wilton presents the latest incarnation of Cave, his follow-up to his hugely popular 'The Shortest Day'. Those familiar with The Shortest Day will see more than a few similarities, while those new to James's work will be astounded by the agressive physicality of Cave.


Argentine Film Festival - 19 - 22 April
Ritzy Picturehouse
Details: argentinefilmfestival.com
Tickets: www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Ritzy_Picturehouse/Whats_On/Seasons_Festivals/Argentine_Film_Festival

This isn't strictly dance-related, however our wonderful publicist Sofia Serbin de Skalon has been working on creating a brand-new festival of her own, screening eight award-winning films, showcasing the best of contemporary cinema from and about Argentina.

Those who are interested in Argentine dance should check out Caprichosos de San Telmo (argentinefilmfestival.com/caprichosos.html), a documentary exploring the young murga dancers and musicians preparing for carnival in Buenos Aires. Dance-related activities will hopefully be announced closer to the time, however we're more than spoiled by all the wonderful films on offer (which are selling fast)!

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Weekly Roundup: 9 April

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Category: What To See
Published: Monday, 09 April 2012 20:52
Written by Cloud Dance Festival

This really isn't a week for indulging in lots of dance shows; April is settling into a much calmer pace, which means that there's only two shows to recommend seeing this week.


Royal Ballet - Sweet Violets / Carbon Life / Polyphonia: 10 & 12 April (to 23 April)
Tickets & details: www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=18146 (returns & day tickets only)
Trailer: youtu.be/R3vHgPUGN1Y

This triple bill has been eagerly anticipated, with much discussion about it in the press, although it hasn't entirely lived up to expectations. Nevertheless, it's a great triple bill, especially if you're new to the Royal Ballet - the performance on 10 April features no fewer than 12 principal dancers.

Christopher Wheeldon's Polyphonia was originally created for New York City Ballet so is ideal for Balanchine fans, with its pure neoclassical content. Sweet Violets is rising star Liam Scarlett's first narrative ballet, and explores the world of artist Walter Sickert at the time of the Jack the Ripper murders. The triple bill concludes with Carbon Life, an unexpectedly impressive new work from Wayne McGregor, with music by Mark Ronson, costumes by Gareth Pugh and live vocals by a range of well-known artists.

It's not perfect, and it's - unusually for a triple bill - sold out, but it's definitely worth seeing if you can grab a ticket.


A Celebration of Bob Lockyer: 13 April
The Place
Tickets & details: www.theplace.org.uk/12878/whats-on/a-celebration-of-bob-lockyer.html

Bob Lockyer has been described as “one of the great heroes of British dance”, and on the occasion of his 70th birthday, five of the country’s outstanding dance artists – Richard Alston, Mark Baldwin, Siobhan Davies, Wayne McGregor and Monica Mason – will be co-presenting an evening of original choreography as a tribute to Bob Lockyer’s life and career.

The evening will feature new works by Richard Alston and Mark Baldwin among other emerging choreographers.


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Weekly Roundup: 2 April

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Category: What To See
Published: Sunday, 01 April 2012 23:59
Written by Cloud Dance Festival

With Easter coming up, there's not as much on, but that hardly matters with the premiere of Liam Scarlett's new work for the Royal Ballet taking place on Thursday, accompanied by the premiere of Wayne McGregor's new work with music by Mark Ronson. Further down the road, St Petersburg's Eifman Ballet Theatre will be performing two unforgettable works at the Coliseum.


Highlights

Royal Ballet: Sweet Violets / Carbon Life / Polyphonia: 5 - 23 April
Royal Opera House
Tickets & details: www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=18146
Trailer: youtu.be/R3vHgPUGN1Y

Wayne McGregor's star at the Royal Ballet is rapidly being eclipsed by the exciting talent of Liam Scarlett, whose first ever narrative ballet is being premiered in this triple bill. Sweet Violets explores the life of Walter Sickert at the time of Jack the Ripper, with warnings of "content of an adult nature". I can't stress enough how amazing Scarlett's work is; you can view rehearsal footage filmed during the Royal Opera House's "Royal Ballet Live" day via the link above.

Also on the programme is the premiere of Wayne McGregor's latest work, Carbon Life, based on Carl Jung's theories of anima/animus and the collective unconscious, with music written by Mark Ronson and live performances by musicians including Boy George. The third piece on the programme is a revival of Christopher Wheeldon's much-loved Polyphonia.


Eifman Ballet: Anna Karenina & Onegin: 3 - 7 April
London Coliseum
Tickets & details for Anna Karenina: www.eno.org/see-whats-on/productions/production-page.php?&itemid=1887
Tickets & details for Onegin: www.eno.org/see-whats-on/productions/production-page.php?&itemid=1888
Trailer: youtu.be/6LRHBAbiUa4

Boris Eifman, one of Russia’s greatest living choreographers, presents two of Russia's greatest classics, having thoroughly modernised both, complete with new scores. His works have strongly divided critics (see Ismene Brown's feature on him here), but both the storytelling and choreography look rich and very unmissable.

There is a 2-for-1 offer on tickets for Anna Karenina on 3 April and Onegin on 6 April for £35 & £45 tickets; quote METRO when buying.


Also On

Pet Shop Boys & Javier De Frutos: The Most Incredible Thing: to 7 April
Sadler's Wells
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Pet-Shop-Boys-and-Javier-De-Frutos-The-Most-Incredible-Thing
Trailer: youtu.be/ocgNbwOys-4

Last year's contemporary dance sensation returns with most of the original cast intact, and some reworked scenes. Fans of last year's show will be somewhat disappointed, however the new-look The Most Incredible Thing is far more audience-friendly, with a revamped middle section, and some additional scenes. It's not perfect, but it's a lot of fun, with some great dancers and snazzy music from the Pet Shop Boys. There are great performances by its lead dancers Aaron Sillis, Ivan Putrov and Clemmie Sveaas, and it's almost worth going just to see Clemmie Sveaas dancing to an early Pet Shop Boys song!

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What To See: April

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Category: What To See
Published: Sunday, 01 April 2012 22:32
Written by Cloud Dance Festival

We hope that you're not too burned out after March's excesses of dance shows - and hope that you managed to see plenty of them while they were on. April is more modest in its offerings, and the relatively few dance shows can be a good thing - for example, so that you can see several of these shows more than once!


Sadler's Wells

Pet Shop Boys & Javier De Frutos - The Most Incredible Thing: to 7 April
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Pet-Shop-Boys-and-Javier-De-Frutos-The-Most-Incredible-Thing

This is the return of last year's successful production, which managed to pack out Sadler's Wells on a nightly basis with bemused Pet Shop Boys fans. It's more of a dazzling spectacle than a dazzling dance show, although we're very excited to hear that Aaron Sillis, Clemmie Sveaas. Ivan Putrov and Yuyu Rau are returning, while Diarmaid O'Meara (dancedialogue.wordpress.com) (recently seen in Ballet Ireland, and in two of our past festivals) and Edd Mitton will be joining the cast for the first time.

Javier De Frutos's choreography is very tame and family-friendly (in an interview, he explained that he'd been instructed to make "family-friendly" choreography. His response was: "what family?"); the middle section is by far the best, although Clemmie Sveaas dancing to an old Pet Shop Boys song will stay with you for a long time!


Royal Ballet Flanders - Artifact: 19 - 21 April
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Royal-Ballet-of-Flanders-Artifact
Trailer: youtu.be/W-3V6okqbNg

To quote the write-up for this show, "A ballet in four parts, Artifact features music by J.S. Bach and scenography, lighting, costumes and choreography all by William Forsythe. It is famous for the way it subverts the traditional physical principles of ballet and plays with audiences ideas about what ballet can be."


Scottish Ballet - A Streetcar Named Desire: 26 - 28 April
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Scottish-Ballet-A-Streetcar-Named-Desire

Scottish Ballet return to London with their latest work,international choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa's take on Tennessee Williams's classic novel. The production also features a jazz-inspired score by award-winning composer Peter Salem and a collaboration with American film and theatre director Nancy Meckler, so it looks like we'll definitely be in for a treat.


The Place

A Celebration of Bob Lockyer: 13 April
Tickets & details: www.theplace.org.uk/12878/whats-on/a-celebration-of-bob-lockyer.html

Bob Lockyer has been described as “one of the great heroes of British dance”, and on the occasion of his 70th birthday, five of the country’s outstanding dance artists – Richard Alston, Mark Baldwin, Siobhan Davies, Wayne McGregor and Monica Mason – will be co-presenting an evening of original choreography as a tribute to Bob Lockyer’s life and career.

The evening will feature new works by Richard Alston and Mark Baldwin among other emerging choreographers.


Robert Clark + Darren Ellis Dance: 17 April
Tickets & details: www.theplace.org.uk/12707/whats-on/robert-clark-darren-ellis-dance.html

Darren Ellis's work is visually striking and often theatrical, and Long Walk Home delves into the hopes and dreams of four outstanding female dancers to create a series of individual portraits of four very different women, each at a different stage of their life.

Robert Clark's work is about an unconventional love story, set in "a world reminiscent of 1950s America".


Goddard Nixon + Jose Agudo: 24 April
Tickets & details: www.theplace.org.uk/12716/whats-on/goddard-nixon-jose-agudo.html

Originally performed at Rambert's evening of New Choreography last autumn, Jonathan Goddard and Gemma Nixon return with Fitcher's Bird, an unusual yet extremely impressive duet - which includes rather a lot of feathers.


Royal Opera House

Royal Ballet - Sweet Violets / Carbon Life / Polyphonia: 5 - 23 April
Tickets & details: www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=18146
Trailer: youtu.be/R3vHgPUGN1Y

Wayne McGregor's star at the Royal Ballet is rapidly being eclipsed by the exciting talent of Liam Scarlett, whose first ever narrative ballet is being premiered on this night. Sweet Violets explores the life of Walter Sickert at the time of Jack the Ripper, with warnings of "content of an adult nature". I can't stress enough how amazing Scarlett's work is; you can view rehearsal footage filmed during the Royal Opera House's "Royal Ballet Live" day via the link above.

Also on the programme is the premiere of Wayne McGregor's latest work, Carbon Life, based on Carl Jung's theories of anima/animus and the collective unconscious, with music written by Mark Ronson and live performances by musicians including Boy George. The third piece on the programme is a revival of Christopher Wheeldon's much-loved Polyphonia.


London Coliseum

Eifman Ballet: Anna Karenina & Onegin: 3 - 7 April
London Coliseum
Tickets & details for Anna Karenina: www.eno.org/see-whats-on/productions/production-page.php?&itemid=1887
Tickets & details for Onegin: www.eno.org/see-whats-on/productions/production-page.php?&itemid=1888
Trailer: youtu.be/6LRHBAbiUa4

Boris Eifman, one of Russia’s greatest living choreographers, presents two of Russia's greatest classics, having thoroughly modernised both, complete with new scores. His works have strongly divided critics (see Ismene Brown's feature on him here), but both the storytelling and choreography look rich and very unmissable.

There is a 2-for-1 offer on tickets for Anna Karenina on 3 April and Onegin on 6 April for £35 & £45 tickets; quote METRO when buying.

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Weekly Roundup: 26 March

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Category: What To See
Published: Monday, 26 March 2012 00:59
Written by Cloud Dance Festival

This is a week with several must-see performances, especially ENB's Beyond Ballets Russes programme - Faun(e) and Rite of Spring are absolutely amazing. As is Royal Ballet's Edward Watson, who stars as Romeo in the final performance of Romeo & Juliet on Saturday. And The Most Incredible Thing is finally back - while not the best dance show you'll see, it's definitely the best dance spectacle on at present - enjoy!


Highlights


English National Ballet's Beyond Ballets Russes Programme 1: 27 March
London Coliseum
Tickets & details: www.eno.org/see-whats-on/productions/production-page.php?&itemid=1788

English National Ballet are presenting two programmes featuring a mixture of works premiered by Diaghilev's Ballets Russes, reworkings of Ballet Russes's pieces, and works inspired by them. The first programme features a brand new interpretation of Firebird, with costumes by David Bamber, David Dawson's breathtaking Faun(e), and a very different interpretation of Kenneth MacMillan's Rite of Spring. There are various ticket offers around: do what you can to see this programme!

The second programme runs from 28 March to 1 April, and includes Balanchine's Apollo, Serge Lifar's Suite en Blanc, and a reworking of Nijinsky's Jeux.


Pet Shop Boys & Javier De Frutos - The Most Incredible Thing: to 7 April
Sadler's Wells
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Pet-Shop-Boys-and-Javier-De-Frutos-The-Most-Incredible-Thing

This is the return of last year's successful production, which managed to pack out Sadler's Wells on a nightly basis with bemused Pet Shop Boys fans. It's more of a dazzling spectacle than a dazzling dance show, although we're very excited to hear that Aaron Sillis, Ivan Putrov and Yuyu Rau are returning, while Diarmaid O'Meara (dancedialogue.wordpress.com) (recently seen in Ballet Ireland, and in two of our past festivals) will be joining the cast for the first time.

Javier De Frutos's choreography is very tame and family-friendly (in an interview, he explained that he'd been instructed to make "family-friendly" choreography. His response was: "what family?"); the middle section is by far the best, although Clemmie Sveaas dancing to an old Pet Shop Boys song will stay with you for a long time!


Royal Ballet's Romeo & Juliet: 31 March
Royal Opera House
Tickets & details: www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=17623

The Royal Ballet's production of the doomed lovers of Verona finally comes to an end, having witnessed the demise of a number of star partnerships over the past few months. The final performance, with Edward Watson and Leanne Benjamin in the leading roles, features many of Royal Ballet's best-loved male dancers - as though we needed many other reasons to attend! Expect beautiful duets, great storytelling, and some unforgettable death scenes.


Also On

New Dance Commissions: 29 - 31 March
Linbury Studio, Royal Opera House
Tickets & details: www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=18821

Continuing ROH2's ongoing support of emerging talented choreographers, this programme celebrates the completion of Freddie Opoku-Addaie's, Laïla Diallo's and Sarah Dowling's two years on ROH2’s Choreographic Associate Scheme with new works commissioned by ROH2. Laïla Diallo, a former dancer with Wayne McGregor's Random Dance, will explore the themes of migration and transience accompanied by live music. Sarah Dowling, whose work has spanned cinema and theatre, has given her work a science-fiction edge, while Freddie Opoku-Addaie, recent Place Prize Finalist, delves into his memories of being surrounded by the daily routine of craft artists. Regardless of the subject matters, it'll be interesting to see the work of these three choreographers and how they've grown as a result of the scheme.


Cloud Dance Festival Corner

Platform AD: 29 & 30 March (performance on 28 March has been cancelled)
St Paul's Church, Covent Garden
Tickets: www.seetickets.com/Tour/A-D-DANCE-COMPANY-PRESENTS-PLATFORM-A-D
Details: nme.seetickets.com/Event/A-D-DANCE-COMPANY-PRESENTS-PLATFORM-A-D-/St-Paul-s-Church-Covent-Garden/621092

You'd be forgiven for not knowing that this platform is back, so little publicity has it sought. AD Dance Company presents Memento, which was premiered on 16 March, while all-male company Udifydance, with a new lineup and a new outlook, present 'And When We Move....', about how we're all affected by social media. CODA Dance presents 'You remind me of someone I once knew', a moving portrayal of perspectives of grief after a mother’s diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Other performances are by Replica Dance Company and Gary Clarke in collaboration with all-male youth dance company Edge FWD.

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Weekly Roundup: 19 March

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Category: What To See
Published: Sunday, 18 March 2012 23:15
Written by Cloud Dance Festival

March is finally coming to an end, as is the flurry of dance shows from the last few weeks, and you'd be forgiven for wanting to sit this week out. But for those of you who want to see a few shows this week, there's still quite a few things to choose from...


Highlight


Royal Ballet, Romeo & Juliet: 21 - 24 March
Royal Opera House
Tickets & details: www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=17623

MacMillan's beloved adaptation of Romeo & Juliet continues, with performances from Steven McRae and Roberta Marquez on 21 March, Lauren Cuthbertson and Federico Bonelli on 22 March and Edward Watson and Leanne Benjamin on 24 March. It's worth seeing all three performances for each cast's interpretations, and of course the myriad of changing additional characters. It's got plenty of storytelling and beautiful dancing - and of course humour and sadness.


English National Ballet: Beyond Ballets Russes: 22 March - 1 April
London Coliseum
Tickets & details: www.eno.org/see-whats-on/productions/production-page.php?&itemid=1788

The Ballets Russes tributes continue, with two new programmes reviving some of the Ballets Russes' most celebrated works. The first programme, which runs until 27 March, features MacMillan's Rite of Spring, Nijinsky's L’après-midi d’un faune - forget the version performed at Men In Motion!, David Dawson’s haunting Faun(e) and a new Firebird choreographed by young British choreographer George Williamson.


Also on


Performance Room: Jérôme Bel at Tate Modern: 22 March
Computers, tablets and smartphones everywhere
Details: www.tate.org.uk/bmwtatelive

This is a new initiative which will see numerous artists performing alone, without a physical audience, yet watched by thousands live through YouTube. Bel's work is unpredictable and theatrical, with dance often trivialised or absent in his works - but the results are usually entertaining to watch. For more background information about Bel, read Sanjoy Roy's Step-By-Step guide: www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2011/nov/22/step-guide-dance-jerome-bel


Tavaziva Dance: 24 March
Bernie Grant Arts Centre
Tickets & details: www.berniegrantcentre.co.uk/pl421.html

In case you missed Tavaziva Dance's performance at The Place last week, or if you'd love to see Sensual Africa again, you're in luck as they'll be performing for one night only in Seven Sisters. Bawren Tavaziva is renowned for his distinctive style of fusing African dance and contemporary dance, creating a powerful and dynamic movement language. In Sensual Africa, his youthful dancers perform his tribute to the Tumbuka and Chewa tribes which Tavaziva met during his travels in Malawi.


Cloud Dance Festival Corner


Rachel Birch-Lawson Triple Bill: 23 March
Chisenhale Dance Space
Tickets & details: www.rachelbirchlawson.co.uk/23rd-march

Project Mashed Potato (CDF Tabula Rasa, July '08) is no more, and Rachel Birch-Lawson returns with an exciting collection of new works, including the critically-acclaimed Frugal Feasts and a sound installation/performance.

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Weekly Roundup: 12 March

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Category: What To See
Published: Monday, 12 March 2012 12:24
Written by Cloud Dance Festival

We hope that ALL of you managed to see NDT2 last week - or at least, those of you either in London or within travelling distance of London. After last week's highs of NDT2 and Alina Cojocaru in Royal Ballet's Romeo & Juliet, everything else fades a bit by comparison, so we'll just tell you what's on this week and you can decide for yourself.


What's On


Ivan Putrov's Men In Motion: 13 - 15 March
Sadler's Wells
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Ivan-Putrov-Sergei-Polunin-Men-in-Motion

It's barely a month and a half since Ivan Putrov's original showcase for male dancers, and already it's back, with more emphasis placed on the renegade Sergei Polunin. Polunin, who has been rapidly burning bridges since his impromptu resignation from the Royal Ballet, and who has seemingly been channelling James Dean in recent interviews to stimulate more interest in this programme, will be performing a solo which is not choreographed by himself, as publicised, but choreographed by Royal Ballet's Valentino Zucchetti about James Dean.

While Russell Maliphant's Afterlight was the undisputed highlight of the last programme, it remains to be seen if Nacho Duato's Remanso will similarly overshadow the rest of this programme.


Tavaziva Dance: 13 & 14 March
The Place
Tickets & details: www.theplace.org.uk/12132/whats-on/tavaziva-dance.html

Bawren Tavaziva's youthful company returns with a new work, Sensual Africa, a tribute to the Malawi tribes which Tavaziva met on a recent visit. His signature style is extremely dynamic fusion of African and contemporary dance - expect this show to sell out quickly!


Protein: LOL (Lots of Love): 16 & 17 March
The Place
Tickets & details: www.theplace.org.uk/12134/whats-on/protein.html

Protein's LOL has been piling up the awards over the past year, and their return to The Place is an opportunity to either revisit it or see why it has received such high praise. It's a comical theatrical work about the world of Facebook, online dating and more, and very very funny.


Royal Ballet: Alice: 17 March - 16 April
Royal Opera House
Tickets & details: www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=18143

Who has forgotten all the media interest in the Royal Opera House's "sensational" new ballet (Alice) and opera (Anna Nicole) of last spring? Alice, the Royal Ballet's first new full-length ballet for 16 years, created by Christopher Wheeldon, was a huge success and much-loved by the audiences, if less so by the critics who pointed out that elaborate effects and costumes aside, it's not exactly the best work they've performed. So with that in mind, go and see this for a thoroughly enjoyable performance with some outlandish costumes and great cameo appearances!

 

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Weekly Roundup: 5 March

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Category: What To See
Published: Sunday, 04 March 2012 23:36
Written by Cloud Dance Festival

If you only see one dance show this year, you need wait no longer: Nederlands Dans Theater 2 are here at last! The superlative Ballet Black continue their New Season performances in the Linbury Studio, while upstairs in the Main House, Alina Cojocaru's performance in Romeo & Juliet is not to be missed. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to see all three shows this week!


Highlights

Nederlands Dance Theater 2: 6 - 9 March
Sadler's Wells
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Nederlands-Dans-Theater-2-Mixed-Bill

NDT2, Nederlands Dans Theater's offshoot for dancers aged 17 - 23, finally makes a very long overdue return to London, with their first full-length programme since 2007. (Both NDT1 and NDT2 toured in 2010 as part of their 50th anniversary celebrations; the "youngsters" completely stole the show.) These dancers are technically brilliant, and the works selected for them perfectly showcase their speed, agility, stamina and technique - surpassed by few. The works in this triple bill include Jiří Kylián’s award-winning Gods and Dogs, Paul Lightfoot's Passe-Partout and a work by NDT Associate Artist Alexander Ekman.

If you're not in London, or if you fancy some weekends away, then you're in luck, as NDT2 will be touring around the country till the end of the month presenting a variety of other works. Details can be found here: www.danceconsortium.com/tour_details.aspx?ID=12&ResultList=1


Ballet Black: to 7 March
Linbury Studio, Royal Opera House
Tickets & details (returns only): www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=17971

One of the country's best neoclassical ballet companies, Ballet Black continues their run of shows at Royal Opera House. Celebrating the end of last year's 10-year anniversary tour, their New Season features quirky new works by Royal Ballet's Jonathan Watkins and Rambert Dance Company's Jonathan Goddard, while Martin Lawrance's and Christopher Hampson's works show this small company at their best. If you're new to ballet or curious about ballet, this programme is not to be missed!


Royal Ballet: Romeo & Juliet: to 31 March
Royal Opera House
Tickets & details: www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=17623

One of the hottest tickets in ballet is for Alina Cojocaru's and Johann Kobborg's Romeo & Juliet on Wednesday; their performance on Saturday had many members of the audience complaining that they perform too rarely in London, and Saturday's performance reminded us of why Alina Cojocaru is so perfect in this role. Despite lively performances from all of the cast members, you'll be heartbroken and speechless by the end.

Other performances this week include Steven McRae/Roberta Marquez on 8 March, Melissa Hamilton/Rupert Pennefather for the matinée on the 10th, and Lauren Cuthbertson/Federico Bonelli (replacing the renegade Sergei Polunin) in the evening of the 10th.


Also on:

Royal Ballet: The Dream / Song of the Earth: 5 March
Royal Opera House
Tickets & details: www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=17626

Following the Royal Ballet's mid-season break, this is the final performance of this double bill featuring Ashton's adaptation of A Midsummer's Night Dream, followed by MacMillan's sombre interpretation of Mahler's song cycle. Full of entertaining twists and an aerodynamic Puck, The Dream is highly enjoyable to watch, especially with the perfectly-cast Steven McRae as Oberon. Song of the Earth is beautiful and exquisite, with Chinese influences detectable in the choreography and music. Carlos Acosta performs the Messenger of Death role beautifully - what more persuasion do you need?


Scottish Dance Theatre: 9 & 10 March
The Place
Tickets & details: www.theplace.org.uk/12130/whats-on/scottish-dance-theatre.html

The dance world was shocked when SDT's director Janet Lewis announced that she would be stepping down in order to become the new Principal at Northern School of Contemporary Dance. This programme of four works has been described as perfectly summing up her vision for this youthful company, mixing diversity with experimentation.


For the adventurous:

London Ballet Company: Olympic Dream: 6 & 7 March
Bridewell Theatre
Tickets & details: stbridefoundation.org/bridewelltheatre/eveningperformance.html?eventId=95

We noticed this listed online and thought we'd mention for any intrepid balletgoers out there. Olympic Dream is a two-act ballet tracing the evolution of the Olympics, performed by an enthusiastic but little-known ballet company.
 

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Weekly Roundup: 27 February

Details
Category: What To See
Published: Monday, 27 February 2012 13:30
Written by Cloud Dance Festival

This is one of those weeks where you desperately want a clone so that you can see all the great shows that are on offer! And they're all great... !


English National Ballet at Tate Britain: 27 Feb - 4 March
Tate Britain
Tickets & details: www.ballet.org.uk/details.php?id=15

To celebrate the opening of the new Picasso exhibition, English National Ballet will be taking over the North Duveen gallery of Tate Britain through a series of exciting workshops, classes, rehearsal and performances. While most of the activities are during office hours, there are performances on Friday evening, and a host of workshops, classes and more over the weekend.

If you're on Twitter, you can follow the dancers' tweets on https://twitter.com/#!/BalletandPhotos/enb-tweeters


29 Feb - 6 March: Ballet Black
Linbury Studio, Royal Opera House
Tickets & details: www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=17971

Ballet Black are one of the leading modern ballet companies, and their latest programme follows on from their tenth anniversary tour of last year. Featuring new works by Jonathan Goddard (Rambert Dance Company), Christopher Hampson (soon-to-be Artistic Director of Scottish Ballet), Jonathan Watkins (Royal Ballet) and Martin Lawrance (Richard Alston Dance Company), this is an exciting showcase of a diverse range of choreographers. Christopher Hampson's work Storyville has been nicknamed "A Mississippi Manon"; you can read a brief feature on it by The Ballet Bag here. If you've never watched ballet before, this programme is a very good place to start!


Candoco Dance Company: 29 February
Laban Centre
Tickets & details: www.trinitylaban.ac.uk/whats-on/upcoming-performances/laban-dance-events.2200.candoco-dance-company-a-double-bill-.aspx

The leading integrated dance company performs a new double bill, ranging from pure dance to dance theatre. In Translation by Emanuel Gat "shows the dancers’ refined musicality and delights with its detailed and exquisite movement" while the new work by Claire Cunningham shows you just how very much can be achieved with a pair of crutches! Claire Cunningham's work has been commissioned for Unlimited, a project by the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad.


Richard Alston Dance Company: 29 February & 1 March
Sadler's Wells
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Richard-Alston-Triple-Bill

This latest triple bill from Richard Alston Dance Company is a triple bill of favourites: a revival of his "iconic" Roughcut from 1990, which is often cited as audiences' favourite Alston work, and Martin Lawrance's Lie of the Land, which was one of our highlights of 2010 - watch out for Andres de Blust-Mommaerts's amazing performance! Completing the triple bill is Alston's latest work, A Ceremony of Carols, which will be accompanied by a choir and harp.

If you already love Alston or are curious about his work, make sure you don't miss this.  


BalletBoyz: 3 & 4 March
Sadler's Wells
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/BalletBoyz-The-Talent-2012

If contemporary dance had boy bands, then BalletBoyz would be at the top. Following the launch of "The Talent" in 2010, their repertoire has been refined, and this is another chance to see 2011's award-winning programme, featuring Russell Maliphant's Torsion, adapted from the original duet created for the original Boyz, Michael Nunn and William Trevitt, Paul Roberts’ Alpha which is all sweetness and light, and the full-force impact of Jarek Cemerek's Void, brilliantly lit by Andrew Ellis. They're preparing a new programme of works, so this may be one of your last chances to see this programme.

And make sure you get one of their 'REAL MEN WEAR TIGHTS' tshirts or hoodies. And whether or not you see them, if you're on Twitter, follow them at @balletboyz!


Royal Ballet, Romeo & Juliet: 3 March
Royal Opera House
Tickets & details: www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=17623

Returning after a mid-season break, the first outing of MacMillan's storyladen Romeo & Juliet offers audiences the chance to see Alina Cojocaru and Johann Kobborg in the lead roles; when Romeo & Juliet was performed at the O2, despite the star billing of Tamara Rojo and Carlos Acosta, it was Alina Cojocaru's Juliet which received all the rave reviews. With Johann Kobborg expected to retire soon, this may well be one of the last opportunities to see him as his fiancée's Romeo. If you can't get tickets for the 3rd, they perform again on 7 March. In the meantime, you'll be treated to lots of storytelling (but no mime!), wonderful dancers and some beautiful dance sequences - and of course, music which will stay with you long afterwards.

 

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What To See: March

Details
Category: What To See
Published: Thursday, 23 February 2012 13:32
Written by Cloud Dance Festival

NDT2, Ballet Black, Richard Alston, BalletBoyz, Romeo & Juliet: aren't you feeling a little bit spoiled by the first half of March? If you are busy between 6 and 9 March, we urge you to cancel your plans and book to see NDT2 NOW while tickets are still available. Many agree that they are one of the best dance companies in the world, and if you don't already agree, make sure you see them to understand what all the excitement is about. "Excitement" also applies to Ballet Black's new season; having celebrated their first ten years, Ballet Black has commissioned new works by Jonathan Goddard (Rambert Dance Company), Martin Lawrance (Richard Alston), Jonathan Watkins (Royal Ballet) and Christopher Hampson (soon-to-be-AD of Scottish Ballet).


Sadler's Wells

29 February & 1 March: Richard Alston
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Richard-Alston-Triple-Bill

This latest triple bill from Richard Alston Dance Company is a triple bill of favourites: a revival of his "iconic" Roughcut from 1990, which is often cited as audiences' favourite Alston work, and Martin Lawrance's Lie of the Land, which was one of our highlights of 2010 - watch out for Andres de Blust-Mommaerts's amazing performance! Completing the triple bill is Alston's latest work, A Ceremony of Carols, which will be accompanied by a choir and harp.

If you already love Alston or are curious about his work, make sure you don't miss this.  


3 & 4 March: BalletBoyz
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/BalletBoyz-The-Talent-2012

If contemporary dance had boy bands, then BalletBoyz would be at the top. Following the launch of "The Talent" in 2010, their repertoire has been refined, and this is another chance to see 2011's award-winning programme, featuring Russell Maliphant's Torsion, adapted from the original duet created for the original Boyz, Michael Nunn and William Trevitt, Paul Roberts’ Alpha which is all sweetness and light, and the full-force impact of Jarek Cemerek's gritty Void, brilliantly lit by Andrew Ellis. They're preparing a new programme of works, so this may be one of your last chances to see this programme.

And make sure you get one of their 'REAL MEN WEAR TIGHTS' tshirts or hoodies. And whether or not you see them, if you're on Twitter, do follow them at @balletboyz.


6 - 9 March: Nederlands Dans Theater 2
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Nederlands-Dans-Theater-2-Mixed-Bill

Not only is NDT2 considered to be one of the best contemporary dance/modern ballet companies in the world, but all of the dancers are between 17 and 23. You'll be truly amazed by what these dancers can do - go see them! In fact, if you see nothing else all year, make sure you see NDT2!

Unusually, they're performing the same programme all four nights, so diehard fans will have to consider following them around the country to see the other programmes. We recommend seeing them in Nottingham and Edinburgh, if you're up for it.


25 March - 7 April: Pet Shop Boys & Javier De Frutos — The Most Incredible Thing
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Pet-Shop-Boys-and-Javier-De-Frutos-The-Most-Incredible-Thing

This is the return of last year's successful production, which managed to pack out Sadler's Wells on a nightly basis with bemused Pet Shop Boys fans. It's more of a dazzling spectacle than a dazzling dance show, although we're very excited to hear that Aaron Sillis, Ivan Putrov and Yuyu Rau are returning, while Diarmaid O'Meara  (recently seen in Ballet Ireland, and in two of our past festivals) will be joining the cast for the first time. Javier De Frutos's choreography is very tame and family-friendly (in an interview, he explained that he'd been instructed to make "family-friendly" choreography. His response was: "what family?"); the middle section is by far the best.


Royal Opera House

29 Feb - 6 March: Ballet Black
Linbury Studio
Tickets & details: www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=17971

Ballet Black are one of the leading modern ballet companies, and their latest programme follows on from their tenth anniversary tour of last year. Featuring new works by Jonathan Goddard (Rambert Dance Company), Christopher Hampson (soon-to-be Artistic Director of Scottish Ballet), Jonathan Watkins (Royal Ballet) and Martin Lawrance (Richard Alston Dance Company). Christopher Hampson's work Storyville has been nicknamed "A Mississippi Manon"; you can read a brief feature on it by The Ballet Bag here. If you've never watched ballet before, this programme is a very good place to start!


3 - 31 March: Romeo & Juliet
Tickets & details: www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=17623

Returning after a mid-season break, MacMillan's storyladen Romeo & Juliet offers audiences the chance to see Alina Cojocaru & Johann Kobborg, Steven McRae & Roberta Marquez, Lauren Cuthbertson & Federico Bonelli and Edward Watson & Lauren Benjamin in the lead roles. With lots of storytelling (but no mime!), wonderful dancers and some beautiful dance sequences, it's easy to see why it's so damn hard to get tickets for this!


17 March - 16 April: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Tickets & details: www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=18143

Originally opening with a lavish premiere a year ago, Christopher Wheeldon's full-length work for the Royal Ballet has undergone some tweaks and returns with new sections and an additional interval. Expect outlandish costumes, hilarious characters and impressive projections to make this a truly memorable Alice.


At a cinema near you

22 March: Live screening of Romeo & Juliet
Tickets & details: cinema.roh.org.uk/now-booking/nearest/*/23347

If you fancy something a bit different, or if going to the Royal Opera House isn't an option, this is a great opportunity to watch the Royal Ballet from the comfort of a cinema seat. Originally intended to broadcast Lauren Cuthbertson with Sergei Polunin, audiences will now be able to see Federico Bonelli as her Romeo.


Also showing

12 & 20 March: In Conversation
Clore Studio, Royal Opera House
Tickets & details: www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=18827

As part of Royal Opera House's In Conversation series, Christopher Wheeldon will be talking on 12 March, followed by Lauren Cuthbertson on 20 March. Both will be reflecting on their careers and achievements to date, and considering what the future holds for them. Both are currently sold out, but tickets will be released 24 hours beforehand, if not before then.


13 - 15 March: Ivan Putrov's Men In Motion
Sadler's Wells
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Ivan-Putrov-Sergei-Polunin-Men-in-Motion

Announced only 3 weeks before its opening night, this is a swift reprisal of Ivan Putrov's celebration of male dancers, presenting some of the more significant male roles from the past century in dance. January's Men In Motion was somewhat overshadowed by the "#sergeistorm" - the shock resignation of Sergei Polunin from the Royal Ballet only a few days beforehand, and the weak programme wasn't helped by the loss of several of his dancers due to visa problems.

The new lineup offers a brand new work by Sergei Polunin, whose post-Royal Ballet life appears to be a series of galas, Nijinsky's L'Apres-midi d'un faune and a solo originally created for Mikhail Baryshnikov.


16 & 17 March: Protein Dance
The Place
Tickets & details: www.theplace.org.uk/12134/whats-on/protein.html

Protein Dance's LOL (Lots of Love) wowed audiences last year when it toured the country, and has since picked up a number of awards. Awkwardly exploring Facebook, emails, online chatting and dating, this dance theatre piece is sometimes witty, sometimes hilarious, and otherwise enjoyable to watch. If you missed it last year, or want to see it again, then this is your chance.


29 - 31 March: New Dance Commissions
Linbury Studio, Royal Opera House
Tickets & details: www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=18821

Continuing ROH2's ongoing support of emerging talented choreographers, this programme celebrates the completion of Freddie Opoku-Addaie's, Laïla Diallo's and Sarah Dowling's  two years on ROH2’s Choreographic Associate Scheme with new works commissioned by ROH2. Laïla Diallo, a former dancer with Wayne McGregor's Random Dance, will explore the themes of migration and transience accompanied by live music. Sarah Dowling, whose work has spanned cinema and theatre, has given her work a science-fiction edge, while Freddie Opoku-Addaie, recent Place Prize Finalist, delves into his memories of being surrounded by the daily routine of craft artists. Regardless of the subject matters, it'll be interesting to see the work of these three choreographers and how they've grown as a result of the scheme.

 

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Weekly Roundup: 20 February

Details
Category: What To See
Published: Monday, 20 February 2012 09:40
Written by Cloud Dance Festival

It's a very quiet week indeed for dance.... So we urge you to see Exposure: Dance at the Royal Opera House (no ballet in sight!), and if you're adventurous, there's a musical on offer at the Union Theatre, choreographed by Drew McOnie with our beloved Raymond Tait as Dance Captain.


Exposure: Dance: 23 - 25 February
Linbury Studio, Royal Opera House
Tickets & details: http://www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=19428

From the ROH website: Exposure: Dance presents short works by emerging choreographers, with premieres from Alexander Whitley and aerialist Ilona Jäntti, Jorge Crecis’ sport-dance piece 36, a duet by Gary Clarke performed by New Art Club, and a different special guest each evening: Boy Blue Entertainment on Thursday, Company Chameleon on Friday and Rachael Mossom on Saturday. Plus pre-show foyer entertainment Levantes Dance Theatre – Canapé Art.

We're going to support Alexander Whitley, of Random Dance, New Movement, and the star of last year's Draft Works. We also want to see New Art Club - we can't start to imagine them performing at the Royal Opera House!


Something Different

Patience: until 10 March
Union Theatre
Tickets & details: www.uniontheatre.biz/#/patience-info/4559322589

If you're in the mood for a musical, then Sasha Regan's all-male company's latest production is Gilbert & Sullivan's Patience, a satire on the Aesthetic Movement of the late 19th century. With choreography by Drew McOnie, and Raymond Tait as Dance Captain, there's much to enjoy in this relatively lesser-known work about two men competing for the affections of the eponymous heroine.

 

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Weekly Roundup: 13 February

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Category: What To See
Published: Monday, 13 February 2012 15:28
Written by Cloud Dance Festival

Resolution! finally comes to an end this week, while over in the Print Room, there are several more chances to watch the exciting partnership of four exciting choreographers.


Jealousy - until Feb 18
The Print Room, 34 Hereford Road, London W2 5AJ
Tickets & details: www.the-print-room.org/page37.htm

Following the recent trend of creating dance/art collaborations, Jealousy is a performance project using an installation created by Laurence Kavanagh, the narrative structure of Alain Robbe-Grillet’s 1957 cine-novel Jealousy and choreography from four choreographers, James Cousins (CDF July '11), Morgann Runacre-Temple (CDF March '10), Hubert Essakow and Daniel Hay Gordon. Our review is yet to be completed, but it's a fascinating show with some excellent performances - worth seeing if you can get one of the few tickets left!


Jacky Lansley: Guest Suites - 17 & 18 Feb
Clore Studio, Royal Opera House
Tickets & details: www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=19097

Guest Suites is renowned 'New Dance' choreographer Jacky Lansley's latest creation, inspired by Bach’s Cello Suites. Central to Guest Suites is the idea of artists guesting in each other’s worlds. A core ensemble of four dancers will be joined by guest dancers and actors; performers include dancers Fergus Early, Tim Taylor and Ayano Honda and actor Vincent Ebrahim.

There will be a post-show talk after the performance on 17 February 2012


Ballet Black in Rehearsal: Feb 16
Tickets & details: www.roh.org.uk/booknow/reserve.aspx?perfid=17923 (sold out; check for day tickets and returns)

This is a rare opportunity to watch award-winning contemporary ballet company Ballet Black in rehearsal, with a Q&A session for the audience. Their new programme, opening at the Royal Opera House on 29 February, features new works by Jonathan Goddard, Jonathan Watkins, Christopher Hampson and Martin Lawrance; this evening will give you a sneak preview of what they'll be performing!


Resolution!: Feb 17
The Place
Tickets & details: www.theplace.org.uk/11701/whats-on/yuyu-rau-divo-company-seke-chimutengwende-friends.html

The final night of Resolution! usually has a special atmosphere, enhanced by The Place saving some of the best companies for last. This year, Yuyu Rau (CDF March '10) will be presenting her new work Beloved Emoh with her distinctive style of fusing contemporary dance with classical Chinese dance. Seke Chimutengwende & Friends will be performing an entertaining semi-improvised new work, Mr Lawrence. Send off this year's Resolution! in style...

 

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Weekly Roundup: 6 February

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Category: What To See
Published: Monday, 06 February 2012 14:04
Written by Cloud Dance Festival

Now that British Dance Edition is over, all of the companies which participated are presumably taking a much-needed break - and Resolution! returns after its one-week break.


Jealousy: 6 - 18 February
The Print Room
Tickets & details: www.the-print-room.org/page37.htm

Following the recent trend of creating dance/art collaborations, Jealousy is a performance project using an installation created by Laurence Kavanagh, the narrative structure of Alain Robbe-Grillet’s 1957 cine-novel Jealousy and choreography from four choreographers, James Cousins (CDF July '11), Morgann Runacre-Temple (CDF March '10), Hubert Essakow and Daniel Hay Gordon. Tickets have already sold out for the first three nights, but try to go if you can!


Royal Ballet: The Dream / Song of the Earth: 6 - 9 Feburary
Royal Opera House
Tickets & details: www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=17626

The Royal Ballet's latest double bill returns three more times this week, with exciting casts each night, including a guest performance from ABT's Marcelo Gomes on 9 February. The Dream is a fairy-heavy retelling of A Midsummer Night's Dream with a truly unforgettable Puck, while the Chinese-infused Song of the Earth is another work of beauty from MacMillan about Death and two lovers.


Worth Seeing

Resolution!: 7 February
The Place
Tickets & details: www.theplace.org.uk/11679/whats-on/penny-jules-dance-company-tydc-james-loffler.html

The lucky dip that is Resolution returns on 7 February, and we're looking forward to seeing James Loffler's new work on 7 February, following lots of enthusiastic feedback from his past work.


Cloud Dance Festival Corner

Resolution!: 10 February
The Place
Tickets & details: www.theplace.org.uk/11686/whats-on/impermenance-dance-theatre-exzeb-simonetta-alessandri.html

Those of you who came to our July and/or December festivals in 2009 may remember Josh Ben-Tovim of Nexus Dance; his latest project is Impermanence Dance Theatre, a Devon-based collective of European interdisciplinary performers, which is performing for the first time at Resolution on Friday. Their past works have been received well, so we're hoping that Resolution! audiences love them!
 

 

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Weekly Roundup: 30 January

Details
Category: What To See
Published: Sunday, 29 January 2012 23:42
Written by Cloud Dance Festival

This week is dominated by two events: British Dance Edition, and the new Royal Ballet double bill, which had originally cast Sergei Polunin in one of the starring roles. See below for more details...


Royal Ballet: The Dream / Song of the Earth - from 1 February
Royal Opera House
Tickets & details: www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=17626 (mostly sold out, but keep an eye out for returns)

Extra focus has been placed on Frederick Ashton's The Dream, a one-act rendering of A Midsummer Night's Dream, in the wake of the abrupt departure of Sergei Polunin, scheduled to perform as Oberon in three of the six performances. No replacement has been scheduled as yet, but rumours suggest that Steven McRae, recent recipient of the Critics' Circle Best Male Dancer Award, will be taking over this role.

Song of the Earth is one of Kenneth MacMillan's best-loved one-act ballets, and is a poignant meditation on Death and two lovers, set to Mahler's song-cycle and drawing on the source Chinese poems for artistic inspiration.

With Alina Cojocaru as one of the lead roles in The Dream, and Tamara Rojo, Marianela Nuñez, Carlos Acosta and Edward Watson in Song of the Earth, this will be a truly spectacular show.


Russell Maliphant: The Rodin Project - 5 February
Sadler's Wells
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Russell-Maliphant-Company (sold out, but keep an eye out for returns)

Following the award-winning Afterlight, The Rodin Project is Russell Maliphant's latest work, inspired by the creations of French sculptor Auguste Rodin; dancers include Tommy Franzén. More information will probably be available after The Rodin Project's premiere in Paris on 31 January.


Also worth seeing

Wayne McGregor | Random Dance, Candoco Dance Company, Hofesh Shechter Company - 2 & 3 February
Sadler's Wells
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Wayne-McGregor-Random-Dance-Candoco-Dance-Company-Hofesh-Shechter-Company

This triple bill opens with Wayne McGregor's 2010 work for his company, FAR, followed by a performance by Candoco Dance Company of Trisha Brown's 1983 work Set & Reset and its 2011 restaging, Reset. Candoco Dance Company is one of this country's leading integrated dance companies, and recently celebrated its 20th birthday to critical acclaim. The Art of Not Looking Back is a work created by Hofesh Shechter for his company's female dancers.


Richard Alston Dance Company & National Dance Company of Wales - 4 February
Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre
Tickets & details: ticketing.southbankcentre.co.uk/find/dance-performance/tickets/richard-alston-dance-company-and-national-dance-company-wales-62943

This double bill features erstwhile favourites Richard Alston Dance Company presenting Alston's latest work, Unfinished Business, alongside a rare London appearance by National Dance Company of Wales performing By Singing Light by Stephen Petronio using Dylan Thomas's poetry. The performance will be accompanied by the BBC National Chorus of Wales and live harp music.

 

 

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What To See: February

Details
Category: What To See
Published: Thursday, 26 January 2012 14:22
Written by Cloud Dance Festival

The start of February is dominated by British Dance Edition, which is great news if you're a dance promoter or producer and have signed up as a delegate, as you'll be treated to performances from many of this country's leading companies. For the rest of us, only three of the performances are open to the public, but there's still plenty to enjoy. At the end of the month, we have the award-winning Ballet Black, presenting a new programme filled with works by exciting choreographers.


British Dance Edition

2 February: Wayne McGregor | Random Dance: Far, Candoco Dance Company: Set & Reset/Reset, Hofesh Shechter Dance Company: The Art of Not Looking Back
Sadler's Wells
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Wayne-McGregor-Random-Dance-Candoco-Dance-Company-Hofesh-Shechter-Company

This triple bill opens with Wayne McGregor's 2010 work for his company, followed by a performance by Candoco Dance Company of Trisha Brown's 1983 work Set & Reset and its 2011 restaging, Reset. Candoco Dance Company is one of this country's leading integrated dance companies, and recently celebrated its 20th birthday to critical acclaim. The Art of Not Looking Back is a work created by Hofesh Shechter for his company's female dancers.


4 February: Richard Alston Dance Company / National Dance Company Wales
Queen Elizabeth Hall, South Bank Centre
Tickets & details: ticketing.southbankcentre.co.uk/find/dance-performance/tickets/richard-alston-dance-company-and-national-dance-company-wales-62943

This double bill features erstwhile favourites Richard Alston Dance Company presenting Alston's latest work, Unfinished Business, alongside a rare London appearance by National Dance Company of Wales performing By Singing Light by Stephen Petronio using Dylan Thomas's poetry. The performance will be accompanied by the BBC National Chorus of Wales.


5 February: Russell Maliphant, The Rodin Project
Sadler's Wells
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Russell-Maliphant-Company

Following the award-winning Afterlight, The Rodin Project is Russell Maliphant's latest work, inspired by the creations of French sculptor Auguste Rodin; dancers include Tommy Franzén. More information will probably be available after The Rodin Project's premiere in Paris on 31 January.


Sadler's Wells

29 February - 1 March: Richard Alston Dance Company
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Richard-Alston-Triple-Bill

Two much-loved pieces feature on this triple-bill: Richard Alston's Roughcut, first performed in 1990 and only recently revived, and Martin Lawrance's Lie Of The Land, featuring a breathtaking performance by Andres de Blust-Mommaerts. Completing the triple bill is Alston's latest work, A Ceremony of Carols, accompanied by live choral and harp music.


Royal Opera House

1 - 9 Feb: Song of the Earth / The Dream
Royal Opera House
Tickets & details: www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=17626

Extra focus has been placed on Frederick Ashton's The Dream, a one-act rendering of A Midsummer Night's Dream, in the wake of the abrupt departure of Sergei Polunin, scheduled to perform as Oberon in three of the six performances. No replacement has been scheduled as yet, but rumours suggest that Steven McRae, recent recipient of the Critics' Circle Best Male Dancer Award, will be taking over this role.

Song of the Earth is one of Kenneth MacMillan's best-loved one-act ballets, and is a poignant meditation on Death and two lovers, set to Mahler's song-cycle and drawing on the source Chinese poems for artistic inspiration.


29 Feb - 6 March: Ballet Black
Linbury Studio, Royal Opera House
Tickets & details: www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=17971

Ballet Black are a leading award-winning modern ballet company, and their latest programme follows on from their tenth anniversary tour of last year. Featuring new works by Jonathan Goddard (Rambert Dance Company), Christopher Hampson (soon-to-be Artistic Director of Scottish Ballet), Jonathan Watkins (Royal Ballet) and Martin Lawrance (Richard Alston Dance Company), this will be an exciting programme with plenty to savour and enjoy.


Worth Catching

until 17 February: Resolution!
The Place
Tickets & details: www.theplace.org.uk/634/whats-on/listings.html

Resolution, The Place's platform for new choreography (and new choreographers) continues till 17 February, and the final night always has a special feel about it. Although everyone has differing opinions about who to see, and ALL of the companies want YOU to see them, our picks are:

7 February: James Loffler
James Loffler has danced for National Youth Ballet, Michael Clark and Ballet Ireland, which could lead to some interesting influences on him; he created a very impressive piece for a Ballet Ireland choreographic session last year (described as 'absolutely fab'), so we're looking forward to seeing him!

17 February: Yuyu Rau
Yuyu Rau has been extremely busy recently as an associate artist of Step Out Arts, and as one of the dancers in the Pet Shop Boys / Javier De Frutos collaboration The Most Incredible Thing, so her latest work, Beloved Emoh, again fusing contemporary dance with classical Chinese dance, is long-overdue and much-anticipated.

 

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Weekly Roundup: 23 January

Details
Category: What To See
Published: Monday, 23 January 2012 00:01
Written by Cloud Dance Festival

This week sees the start of the new Sadler's Wells season, with a celebration of male dancers, and alongside the ongoing platform of new choreography at The Place, Resolution!, the Royal Ballet are showing their own platform of new choreography by their own dancers, Draft Works. And the good thing is, you don't even have to be a fan of ballet to enjoy it!


24 - 26 January: Draft Works
Linbury Studio, Royal Opera House
Tickets & details: www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=17839

This is the annual platform for the Royal Ballet to showcase the work of its dancers, usually giving the audience a rare opportunity to appreciate the less senior dancers in the company as they take starring roles. While the results are varied, there will be a mixture of classical ballet, modern ballet and contemporary dance, all of it performed by some of this country's finest dancers. This lineup features works by Tamara Rojo and Thomas Whitehead, and the tickets are only £10.50 (£6.50 concs) - go see this if you can, and reschedule your plans if need be.


29 January - Ivan Putrov: Men In Motion
Sadler's Wells
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Ivan-Putrov-Men-in-Motion

It seems that when certain principal dancers leave the Royal Ballet, they turn their talents to presenting galas and similar events, and Ivan Putrov is no different. Having left the Royal Ballet in 2010 to pursue his collaboration with the Pet Shop Boys and Javier De Frutos on The Most Incredible Thing, Men In Motion is a celebration of male dancers, featuring leading dancers from the Royal Ballet, Mariinsky and Bolshoi Ballets and English National Ballet, performing works from the past 100 years.

For the non-ballet fans, the award-winning Daniel Proietto will be performing his breathtaking solo from Russell Maliphant's Afterlight yet again - which is easily worth the price of the ticket on its own.


Worth Catching

23 January at 12.30pm: National Dance Awards
Details: www.criticscircle.org.uk/dance/?ID=241

Unlike the music, theatre and film industries, the dance industry doesn't receive a whole lot of recognition, so these are the main annual awards we have to look forward to.

Sadly, the modern and classical dancers have been lumped into the same category, so we can only hope that ALL of the male and female dancers jointly win the Best Dancer awards.


25 January: Resolution!
The Place
Tickets & details: www.theplace.org.uk/11672/whats-on/nylon-theatre-the-mynewt-project-yukiko-masui.html

We've heard good things about this evening, so we can only hope it'll be a good one! Yukiko Masui's past works have apparently been beautiful, while Alex Newton of The MyNewt Project has worked with English Youth Ballet, Will Tuckett (Royal Ballet), David Bintley (Birmingham Royal Ballet) and Mavin Khoo, so we're expecting good things from him.

 

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Recommendations for Spring 2012

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Category: What To See
Published: Monday, 16 January 2012 19:25
Written by Cloud Dance Festival

This spring, we're looking to Sadler's Wells to fulfil most of our dance needs, however we really do urge everyone to book tickets to see Liam Scarlett's latest creation for the Royal Ballet - as soon as tickets go on sale on 7 February. British Dance Exchange returns in early February, offering us reminders of who's dominating the UK dance scene with tasters of their work.


Sadler's Wells

6 - 9 March: Nederlands Dans Theater 2
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Nederlands-Dans-Theater-2-Mixed-Bill

Often described as one of the world's best contemporary dance / modern ballet companies, NDT2's dancers are only aged 17 - 23, and yet they can outperform many dancers older than themselves! In fact, in last year's 50th Anniversary Tour, featuring performances by both NDT1 (the main company) and NDT2, the highlight of each night was easily NDT2's. This time, they will be performing one of Jirí Kylián’s best-known works, Gods and Dogs, and a work by the new artistic director of NDT, Paul Lightfoot.

If you only see one dance show this year, make sure it's this one.


26 - 28 April: Scottish Ballet, A Streetcar Named Desire
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Scottish-Ballet-A-Streetcar-Named-Desire

Scottish Ballet's repertoire covers a vast range from the classics to some of the leading contemporary dance choreographers; this is a new adaptation of Tennessee Williams’ play, collaborating with theatre and film director Nancy Meckler and international choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa to create a powerful infusion of drama and dance.


15 - 19 May: Rambert Dance Company
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Rambert-Dance-Company-LApres-midi-dun-faune-What-Wild-Ecstasy

Rambert's spring programme reminds us of why they're such a well-loved company - not least for reviving Siobhan Davies's Art of Touch, which was last performed at Sadler's Wells in May 2010. Also on this programme is Artistic Director Mark Baldwin's reworking of Nijinsky's L’Après-midi d’un faune, and "a battlefield of relentlessly sparring testosterone" from Itzik Galili, the choreographer who previously created A Linha Curva for Rambert.


Matthew Bourne Retrospective
Early Adventures (21 - 26 May): www.sadlerswells.com/show/Matthew-Bournes-Early-Adventures
Play Without Words (12 Jul - 5 Aug): www.sadlerswells.com/show/Matthew-Bournes-Play-Without-Words

With Matthew Bourne celebrating New Adventures’ 25th anniversary this year, it's all too easy to forget the impact his work has had on the dance industry, from his groundbreaking Swan Lake to his recognisable signature style. This retrospective gives us the opportunity to revisit where he started, with a triple-bill of his earliest works (Spitfire, Town and Country and The Infernal Galop) in May, and his 2002 collaboration with National Theatre, Play Without Words, in July and August.


Royal Opera House

Ongoing until end March: Romeo & Juliet
Tickets & details (returns & day tickets only for most shows): www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=17623


When the Royal Ballet decided to take over the O2 last summer, they chose to perform Romeo & Juliet - and now, in the comparatively intimate setting of the Royal Opera House, you can see why, and benefit from the full emotional impact of this much-loved ballet.

Tamara Rojo and Carlos Acosta performed the lead roles on opening night, and will perform again on 19 January - do what you can to get a ticket! Other performances to catch are Alina Cojocaru & Johan Kobborg (3 & 7 March), Marianela Nuñez & Thiago Soares (13 January) and Lauren Cuthbertson & Sergei Polunin (10 & 22 March)


5 - 23 April: New Scarlett/Polyphonia/New McGregor
Tickets & details: www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=18146 (tickets on sale from 7 February)

This triple bill celebrates the Royal Ballet's three leading contemporary choreographers, with new commissions from both Wayne McGregor and Liam Scarlett while reviving Christopher Wheeldon's Polyphonia (2001). Following the astounding Asphodel Meadows, there is much excitement about seeing what Liam Scarlett will create next; the rest of the programme will struggle to compete with his new work!


Barbican & Sadler's Wells

6 June - 9 July: Tanztheater Wuppertal World Cities 2010
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Pina-Bausch-World-Cities-2012

This month-long season of works by Pina Bausch is presented by Sadler’s Wells and the Barbican to celebrate the Olympic and Paralympic year’s global focus. Accordingly, each of the 10 works on offer was created following a period of residency in specific cities around the world, reflecting the company's  impressions of their stay. Cities represented in this season range from Budapest to Santiago de Chile and Istanbul.


Various locations

2 - 5 February: British Dance Exchange
Tickets & details: www.britishdanceedition.com/artists/

Over four days, 29 leading companies will be presenting samples of their work at a range of venues across London including Sadler's Wells, Royal Opera House, Laban  Centre and South Bank Centre. Participating companies and choreographers include Ballet Black, Russell Maliphant, Michael Clark Company, Richard Alston Dance Company and National Dance Company Wales. Visit BDE's website for full details.


Palace Theatre

4 February onwards: Singin' In The Rain
Tickets & details: singinintherain.co.uk

Although this isn't exactly a dance show, it stars the wonderful Adam Cooper - loved by many as the original Swan in Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake, and as the grown-up Billy in the film of Billy Elliot.

This production of Singin' In The Rain has transferred to the West End from Chichester Festival Theatre, where it enjoyed a critically-acclaimed sell-out run.

 

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Weekly Roundup: 16 January

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Category: What To See
Published: Monday, 16 January 2012 00:30
Written by Cloud Dance Festival

Our weekly roundup resumes, however it's a too-quiet week in the world of dance, with only The Place's Resolution! offering daily variety. But at least there's two very good shows to recommend this week....


Royal Ballet, Romeo & Juliet: 19 January
Royal Opera House
Tickets & details (returns & day tickets only): www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=17623

There are two final performances of the Royal Ballet's Romeo & Juliet until it resumes in March, and the performance on 19 January features Tamara Rojo and Carlos Acosta in the lead roles - and possibly Acosta's final performance as Romeo. Expect powerful performances from both, with a fantastic cast of some of this country's finest dancers. Treat yourself.

There is also a performance on 16 January, led by Sarah Lamb and Federico Bonelli.


Resolution!: 21 January
The Place
Tickets & details: www.theplace.org.uk/11670/whats-on/gwyn-emberton-dance-lila-dance-victor-fung-dance.html

Our pick of the week - and perhaps of the whole Resolution! season - is Saturday's performance, featuring new works by Lîla Dance and Gwyn Emberton Dance.

Lîla Dance have been a creative associate of The Point, Eastleigh for the past few years, impressing audiences and critics alike with their dynamic choreography.

Gwyn Emberton has worked for some of this country's leading companies and choreographers, including Akram Khan, Jasmin Vardimon, Matthew Bourne, Yorke Dance Project and Scottish Dance Theatre; his taster clip from a previous work promises high-paced physical work in this new duet.

Also performing on the night is Victor Fung Dance, NOT to be confused with the American ballroom dancing champion!


Worth Seeing


From Street to Stage: An Evening with Thiago Soares: 19 January
2 Temple Place, London WC2R 3BD
Tickets & details: streettostage.eventbrite.co.uk

If you are feeling benevolent, Royal Ballet principals (and newlyweds) Thiago Soares and Marianela Nuñez are holding a fundraiser for Street Kids, featuring artwork by William Morris and tango-ballet fusion performances. All proceeds go directly towards Street Kids (tickets cost £50).


Resolution!: 19 January
The Place
Tickets & details: www.theplace.org.uk/11668/whats-on/giorgio-de-carolis-elena-zaino-non-applicable-dance-collective-matthew-huy.html

If you'd like to see more Resolution! performances, we'd recommend Giorgio de Carolis & Elena Zaino: Zaino is one of Henri Oguike's dancers while de Carolis is in Motionhouse Dance Theatre - we can't help but expect great things from their collaboration!
 

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What To See: January

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Category: What To See
Published: Friday, 13 January 2012 15:20
Written by Cloud Dance Festival

January is a fairly quiet for dance - outside of Resolution!, that is - hence the delayed writing of this roundup. If you're a fan of modern ballet or of experimental contemporary dance, then you're in for quite a few treats this month... But if you're not, then there's plenty to look forward to in coming months.


Royal Opera House

Romeo & Juliet: ongoing until 31 March
Details & tickets (very limited availability): www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=17623

When the Royal Ballet decided to take over the O2 last summer, they chose to perform Romeo & Juliet - and now, in the comparatively intimate setting of the Royal Opera House, you can see why, and benefit from the full emotional impact of this much-loved ballet.


Tamara Rojo and Carlos Acosta performed the lead roles on opening night, and will perform again on 19 January - do what you can to get a ticket! Other performances to catch are Alina Cojocaru & Johan Kobborg (3 & 7 March), Marianela Nuñez & Thiago Soares (13 January) and Lauren Cuthbertson & Sergei Polunin (10 & 22 March).


Draft Works: 24 - 26 January
Tickets & details: www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=17839

Draft Works is the Royal Ballet's dancers' annual opportunity to present their own choreography, performed by their peers. Expect a wide range from classical to very modern ballet, all of it enjoyable; this is also a great chance for the less senior members of the company to shine - always a good thing!


Sadler's Wells

Ivan Putrov — Men in Motion: 27 - 29 January
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Ivan-Putrov-Men-in-Motion

Men In Motion celebrates male dancers, featuring some of the leading male dancers of today, including Daniel Proietto, Royal Ballet's Sergei Polunin, Ivan Putrov, and principal dancers from the Mariinsky and Bolshoi Ballet. The evening will present an overview of historical and current works, from Spectre de la Rose to Daniel Proietto's breathtaking solo from Russell Maliphant's Afterlight.


Worth Catching

The Place

Resolution!: to 17 February
Tickets & details: www.theplace.org.uk/634/whats-on/listings.html

Resolution! is The Place's annual platform for new dance, offering 87 new choreographers and companies the opportunity to perform their works in one of London's more prestigious dance theatres. With three different companies performing each night, the result is something of a lucky dip - especially as each of the companies are vying to get YOU to watch them!

Assuming that few people can manage to attend every night, we've written our own recommendations on what to see, although others will no doubt recommend other companies instead!


From Street to Stage: an evening with Thiago Soares: 19 January
Tickets & details: streettostage.eventbrite.co.uk

This is an "exclusive evening" by the acclaimed Thiago Soares and Marianela Nuñez, including artwork by William Morris and a balletised (?) tango. Tickets cost £50, and all proceeds go to Street Kids International

 

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Resolution! 2012: Our Recommendations

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Category: What To See
Published: Tuesday, 13 December 2011 00:31
Written by Cloud Dance Festival

Resolution!, The Place's platform for new dance, returns in January for its 23rd edition, and it looks like it's been stripped back to its roots this time: Aerowaves is absent this year, leaving only 87 companies (instead of the usual 102 companies), and the focus this year seems to be on newer companies and choreographers, potentially making it even harder to pick what to see.

As the audience is reminded at the start of most evenings, many of today's best-known choreographers started out at Resolution - including Wayne McGregor, Javier De Frutos, Mark Baldwin, Katie Prince and Hofesh Shechter; in more recent years, Drew McOnie, Devaraj Thimmaiah and several dancers from Rambert Dance company including Jonathan Goddard and Gemma Nixon have performed their works, as well as a very memorable solo for Royal Ballet principal dancer Edward Watson, created by Kirill Burlov. (Memorable solely for the unfortunate costume Edward Watson had to wear). It is suggested that the future of contemporary dance may perform on any of the evenings in this season... but only time will tell.

This year's lineup showcases a mixture of new graduates, dance teachers, and dancers from various mid-scale dance companies. While there's less Indian dance on offer this year, there's several street dance and hip-hop companies scattered among the 26 nights.

It's worth noting that each of the companies have guaranteed a third of the ticket sales for each night, so there's an element of financial risk for all companies involved - as well as the possibility of making a profit if tickets sell nicely. So if you have a free evening and fancy seeing some dance, do wander over to The Place and support three worthy dance companies!


Full listings are here: www.theplaceprize.com/634/whats-on/listings.html


Recommended Companies:

7 January: Toby Fitzgibbons & Matthew Robinson

This is Toby Fitzgibbons & Matthew Robinson's second Resolution! performance, following from a successful debut earlier this year.

Both Toby and Matthew are dancers with Dundee-based Scottish Dance Theatre; Matthew Robinson has been making a name for himself as a choreographer to watch, from his work while still a student at London Contemporary Dance School to the highly impressive 'For A Second I Stood', commissioned by the Scottish School of Contemporary Dance.

You can watch his showreel here: www.youtube.com/user/mrobinsonanddancers


14 January: Joss Arnott Dance

Joss Arnott's success has been meteoric since his premiere of 'threshhold' at Cloud Dance Festival in July 2010; he is now supported by South East Dance and Dep Arts, and this is surely the start of even greater things. His work is very dynamic and physically challenging - and is not to be missed!

Website: www.jossarnottdance.co.uk


19 January: Giorgio de Carolis & Elena Zaino

This is a collaboration to look forward to: Elena Zaino has worked with Henri Oguike for several years; Giorgio de Carolis is a dancer with Motionhouse Dance Theatre. Elena's videos show her to be an accomplished, talented choreographer, while Motionhouse Dance Theatre is one of the UK's leading dance theatre companies, much-loved for their physical choreography and digital work. What will their finished piece be like... ?


21 January: Gwyn Emberton Dance, Lîla Dance

Gwyn Emberton has an extremely impressive background, having worked with Akram Khan, Inbal Pinto, Jasmin Vardimon, Scottish Dance Theatre, Matthew Bourne and Yorke Dance Project to name but a few. His style of dance is very physical and dynamic - and a treat to watch.

This work, The Seamless Art of Being, is a duet for himself and Berlin-based dancer Johanna Devi with music by German band SWOD, a video backdrop by Aurelien Farjon and lighting design by Estelle Rickelton.  

Website: www.gwynemberton.com


Lîla Dance have received lots of acclaim over the years, with two outstanding performances in Cloud Dance Festival in 2009, and touring extensively since then. Don't miss this chance to see them.

Website: www.liladance.co.uk


7 February: James Löffler

James Löffler has been dancing for Michael Clark and Ballet Ireland over the last few years, and created a very impressive piece for a Ballet Ireland choreographic session last year (described as 'absolutely fab'). We've heard lots of praise about him, so make sure you get a ticket to see him!


17 February: Yuyu Rau

There's always something special about the final night of Resolution!, with some of the best works saved for this night. Last year it was Hagit Yakira, with her feelgood physical theatre piece 'Sunday Morning'; this year, it's Yuyu Rau's first Resolution! performance since 2010's 'Beauty Unveiled', a beautiful mixture of contemporary dance, Chinese dance and martial arts which was later performed at our March 2010 Cloud Dance Festival.

Since then, Yuyu Rau has become an associate artist of Step Out Arts, and has been one of the dancers in the Pet Shop Boys / Javier De Frutos collaboration 'The Most Incredible Thing' - we're really really really looking forward to her latest work.


Worth Seeing

06 January: A.D.Dance Company, The Ticket Theatre Dance

A D Dance Company (previously known as Antique Dances) have been impressing audiences with their creative neoclassical work, performing regularly at their platform at Actor's Church in Covent Garden, and over the summer at the King's Head Theatre. This will be a great chance to see FAWN in a proper dance venue.

Website: www.antiquedances.co.uk


The Ticket Theatre Dance, directed by Lexi Bradburn, has been creating humorous dance works for several years. Sometimes they're hilarious, sometimes the jokes don't always work, but they deserve lots of credit for trying anyway.

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/pages/The-Ticket-Theatre-Dance/178275975545007


18 January: Saad

Marc Saad is one of a group of choreographers who graduated from London Contemporary Dance School in 2005, whose work fuses irony and wit with theatrical choreography. Marc Saad's last work for Resolution! was 'Porters' in 2007, co-choreographed by Nick Lawson and Christian From, with the tagline "The first rule is you don't talk about it. The second rule is you don't talk about it". Google is very quiet about what he's been up to since then.


25 January: The MyNewt Project

Alex Newton has worked for Ballet Ireland, Birmingham Royal Ballet and English Youth Ballet, and has performed in several works created by Royal Ballet's Will Tuckett.

It sounds like there may be at least a little bit of improvisation taking place during her performance...


10 February: Impermenance Dance Theatre

Impermanence Dance Theatre is a network of Rambert School-trained dancers who are now based across Europe - and led by Josh Ben-Tovim, known to Cloud Dance Festival from his striking performances in Nexus Dance's 'Soul Notes' and 'Of Nothing' (both 2009).

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/IDT2011


17 February: Seke Chimutengwende & Friends

Also performing on the final night of Resolution!, Seke's work is sometimes humorous, always captivating.


Familiar Faces:

13 January: Kip Johnson is a dancer with Protein Dance

17 January: Tourlander's choreographer Soledad de la Hoz was shortlisted for Matthew Bourne's New Adventures Choreographer Award.

20 January: Nina Kov is creating a solo for Random Dance Company's Catarina Carvalho

7 February: James Loffler: previously in National Youth Ballet, now dancing with Michael Clark

11 February: Percussive Customer's choreographer Christopher Owen is a dancer with Candoco Dance Company

14 February: Le Petit Mort Dance Company's choreographer George Adams is a dancer with Ludus Dance.

17 February: Seke Chimutengwende previously worked for DV8 and Punchdrunk, among others



 

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