What To See

Christmas Shows 2011

The Christmas lights are out, so the season of Nutcrackers must be upon us. There are also several seasonal shows for younger people, or simply those who are young at heart, ranging from the exciting Mojo by Theatre Rites to the annual return of The Snowman. Unlike last year's clustering of Cinderellas, this year all of the ballet companies seem to have settled on performing the same show. Nutcracker ahoy!

I've never seen any of these shows so I can't comment on any of them; below is a list of all of the seasonal dance shows available over the next six weeks.


Nutcrackers


3 Dec - 18 January: Royal Ballet
Royal Opera House
Tickets & details: www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=16899


6 Dec - 22 Jan: Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker!
Sadler's Wells
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/New-Adventures-Matthew-Bournes-Nutcracker


8 - 30 Dec: English National Ballet
The Coliseum
Tickets & details: www.eno.org/see-whats-on/productions/production-page.php?&itemid=1437

As featured in BBC's Agony & Ecstasy, this is the new production choreographed by Wayne Eagling, and is quite possibly the only Nutcracker featuring a giant balloon.


27 - 30 Dec: Birmingham Royal Ballet
The O2
Tickets & details: www.brb.org.uk/masque/index.htm?act=WhatsOn&urn=119&tsk=show

For those seeking a Nutcracker with a difference, or that arena feel... Joe McElderry will be opening the show, performing songs from his latest album.


For children (and grownup children)


30 Nov - 8 Jan: The Snowman, by Birmingham Repertory Theatre
Sadler's Wells
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/The-Snowman-2011


13 - 31 Dec: BOING! — Travelling Light and Bristol Old Vic
Sadler's Wells
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Travelling-Light-and-Bristol-Old-Vic-BOING

A children's dance theatre show about the excitement of waiting for Santa.


16 - 31 Dec: Theatre Rites' 'Mojo'.
Barbican Centre
Tickets & details: www.barbican.org.uk/theatre/event-detail.asp?ID=12503

Choreographed by the renowned Arthur Pita, for children. "Particularly suited to those aged over five and inquisitive adults".

Theatre Rites specialises in creating theatre for younger audiences, using performance, installation, puppetry, music, video and sound to create unforgettable performances.

 

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Weekly Roundup: 29 November

This is our final roundup of the year, and your final chance to squeeze in some excellent dance before the Christmas shows and holidays take over. And how better to end than with the long-awaited return of Rafael Bonachela and his company Sydney Dance Company? It's also your last chance to see the current triple bill by Royal Ballet - and it's absolutely worth catching!

We'll do roundups of the Christmas shows, the new Resolution programme and the new Sadler's Wells programme in the meantime.


Highlights

Sydney Dance Company: 1 - 3 December
Queen Elizabeth Hall, South Bank Centre
Tickets & details: ticketing.southbankcentre.co.uk/find/dance-performance/tickets/sydney-dance-company-60714

Three years after Rafael Bonachela took over as artistic director, Sydney Dance Company return to the UK for the first time in nearly 25 years, performing two new works by Bonachela.

Bonachela is one of the most exciting choreographers in contemporary dance;: his career has included choreographing for Kylie Minogue and Tina Turner, winning the first Place Prize - along with the Audience Vote Award and the New York Bloomberg Choice Award, as well as a nomination for the National Dance Awards Critics Circle's Award for Outstanding Repertoire (Modern), and being Rambert's associate choreographer until his departure in 2005.

Bonachela has completely transformed and reinvigorated over the past three years, and this is an exciting opportunity to see the results!


Royal Ballet, Asphodel Meadows / Enigma Variations / Gloria: 29 & 30 November
Tickets & details: 020 7304 4000

There are only two opportunities left to catch this fantastic triple-bill - not helped by the website (and phones) being off-limits due to ROH's Friends Booking on both days. But if you manage to get a ticket, go - you won't regret it!

The programme consists of Liam Scarlett's masterpiece Asphodel Meadows, created for three pairs and an ensemble of fourteen. It's worth going just to see this; Leanne Cope and José Martín are stunning as the central couple tonight (29th) while Tamara Rojo, Marianela Nuñez, Rupert Pennefather, Laura Morera and Bennet Gartside perform the lead roles on the 30th.

Closing the programme is MacMillan's Gloria; on the 29th, Edward Watson and Nehemiah Kish are in the lead roles and unmissable, while Carlos Acosta and Thiago Soares perform on the 30th. In the middle is Ashton's Enigma Variations, a series of character studies. The highlight is Edward Watson's short performance.


Fresh: 3 December
The Place
Tickets & details: www.theplace.org.uk/fresh

FRESH describes itself as "a night of outstanding dance with and for young people", and features some of the country's best youth and professional companies for a showcase of youth talent: the catch is that all adults must be accompanied by minors for admission.

There will be youth performances from Cando2, Candoco's youth company, Avant Garde Youth Dance, Shoreditch Youth Dance Company and London Youth Circus. Also performing is the Hofesh Shechter Company, and Jonathan Goddard will be presenting his highly enjoyable 07941 611971, based on live interaction via mobile phone.

Visit The Place's website for more details, and borrow a teenager for the evening for a great night and a celebration of youth dance.


Worth Catching


Undance: 1 - 3 December
Sadler's Wells
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Turnage-McGregor-Wallinger-UNDANCE

UNDANCE is a collaboration between choreographer Wayne McGregor, composer Mark-Anthony Turnage and Turner prize-winning visual artist Mark Wallinger, with digital artists OpenEnded Group creating an onstage 3D environment.

One for fans of Wayne McGregor.

 

 

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Weekly Roundup: 23 November

It's a fairly quiet week for dance this week, which means that there's no excuse for not seeing the amazing Asphodel Meadows by Liam Scarlett in the Royal Ballet's latest triple bill. And also this week sees The Featherstonehaughs' last ever performances, so get your tickets while you can!


Highlights

Royal Ballet, Asphodel Meadows / Enigma Variations / Gloria: to 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. While the first cast features Tamara Rojo, Marianela Nuñez, Rupert Pennefather, Carlos Acosta and Thiago Soares, the second cast is also unmissable - Leanne Cope in Asphodel Meadows and Edward Watson in Gloria are both definitely worth seeing. Enigma Variations is a more subtle work, but enjoy the diverse cameo roles.


Royal Ballet, Manon: 15, 17 & 26 November
Royal Opera House
Tickets & details: www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=16853

There are only two performances left of the current production of Manon, and you should definitely try to catch Roberta Marquez and Steven McRae in the matinée performance on Saturday 26 November: even regular ballet audiences have been completely blown away by their pairing in their previous performance.

There's lots to love in this ballet about an innocent girl diverted from a future in a convent to prostitution, true love and the swamps of Louisiana. Savour the  minutiae of the additional characters thronging the stage, including the squabbling whores, Lescaut's Drunken Scene, the increasingly legless Madame, and of course the beautiful dancing and acting of the lead dancers. One to savour.


The Featherstonehaughs: 23 - 26 November
Riverside Studios
Tickets & details:
Egon Schiele - www.riversidestudios.co.uk/cgi-bin/page.pl?l=1312551697
Edits - www.riversidestudios.co.uk/cgi-bin/page.pl?l=1312552376

Don't miss this opportunity to see Lea Anderson’s all male contemporary dance company, The Featherstonehaughs, in their very last performances as they celebrate the end of 25 very successful years, with many of today's leading dance figures among their alumni.

'The Featherstonehaughs Draw on the Sketchbooks of Egon Schiele' is a reworking of their 1998 hit show, bringing to life the tormented artistic vision of Austrian expressionist visual artist Egon Schiele.

Edits draws on the peculiar elasticity of filmic time, the dramatic language of editing and the heightened effect of extreme close-up and makes them live, echoing the subliminal rhythm achieved in film with the use of zooms, pans and tilts but creating a totally new, hypnotic hybrid of dance movement and film effects.


Worth Seeing

bgroup: 25 & 26 November
The Place
Tickets & details: www.theplace.org.uk/10679/whats-on/bgroup.html

This is the latest work by the critically-acclaimed company led by award-winning choreographer Ben Wright. With dancers including Nuno Silva (recently appearing in Clod Ensemble and The Most Incredible Thing, among other works), this piece reflects on the concept of intimacy.

 

 

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Weekly Roundup: 15 November

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.

 

 

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Weekly Roundup: 8 November

In case you're not yet exhausted after the wonderful shows of the last week, this week has another selection of excellent dance shows for you to see, with further opportunities to catch Zoonation's Some Like It Hip Hop and Royal Ballet's Manon if you haven't yet done so. And if you're feeling like you should cut back a bit, just remember that there's not long to go till the Christmas shows start, so these shows will have to last you for a while!

Highlights


Zoonation 'Some Like It Hip Hop': until 20 November
Sadler's Wells
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/ZooNation-Some-Like-It-Hip-Hop

With less than two weeks to go until this show closes, we urge you as strongly as possible to get a ticket and make sure you don't miss out! Since Some Like It Hip Hop opened on 20 October, we've seen a constant outpouring of praise and acclaim, including a five-star review from our reviewer Kelly Crocker. Even FT's Clement Crisp has declared himself a fan, and as many of us know, that's no mean feat!


Royal Ballet 'Manon': until 26 November
Royal Opera House
Tickets & details: www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=16853

The new production of Manon, one of the best-loved ballets in the Royal Ballet's repertoire, opened last week, and the highlight of the current production are the pairings of Lauren Cuthbertson and Sergei Polunin (8 & 15 November) and Sarah Lamb and Rupert Pennefather (17 November). Somewhat eclipsed by all the excitement over these pairings are Steven McRae and Roberta Marquez in the matinée on 26 November.

Cancel whatever you're doing and catch these performances!
 

Darshan Singh Bhuller 'Caravaggio: Exile and Death': 9 - 12 November
The Place
Tickets, trailer & details: www.theplace.org.uk/10607/whats-on/darshan-singh-bhuller.html

Darshan Singh Bhuller's career has seen him as a member of London Contemporary Dance Theatre, Assistant to the Director of Richard Alston Dance Company and Artistic Director of Phoenix Dance Theatre, also choreographing for Irek Mukhamedov and The Fall. His latest work, Caravaggio: Exile and Death, is a dance theatre exploration of Caravaggio's life and art.

The Place is currently displaying an exhibition of highly atmospheric photos of this work - make sure you have time to see them.


Worth Seeing

Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan: 9 - 12 November
Sadler's Wells
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Cloud-Gate-Dance-Theatre-of-Taiwan-White

While Cloud Gate Dance Theatre employs some of the finest dancers in the world, their latest works have been visually stunning spectacles rather than traditional dance performances, fusing contemporary dance with martial arts and calligraphy. Their latest work, White, is a meditation on light and shadows.


Made by Katie Green 'Matters of Life & Death': 17 November
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.


Don't Forget

Booking opens at Sadler's Wells (www.sadlerswells.com) on 14 November for the new season, so we suggest you ensure that your credit cards are dusted off and ready. Our recommendations are:


27 - 29 January: Ivan Putrov. Last seen collaborating with the Pet Shop Boys on 'The Most Incredible Thing', this show will  feature "a host of star dancers including The Royal Ballet’s Sergei Polunin; the production traces the development of the male dancer through a combination of seminal and rarely performed works".

5 February: Russell Maliphant. This will be a preview of his follow-up to the enormous success of Afterlight, called The Rodin Project, which is inspired by Rodin's works.

6 - 9 March: Nederlands Dans Theater 2. Easily one of the best contemporary dance / modern ballet companies in the world, this programme will be a continuation of NDT's 50th anniversary celebrations. NDT2 is the "youth" branch of NDT, exclusively for dancers aged 17 - 23. They are truly amazing.

26 – 28 April: Scottish Ballet. No more waiting two years for Scottish Ballet to return: this programme will feature their production of A Streetcar Named Desire. Tickets are already on sale.

6 June – 9 July: Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch: World Cities 2012. This is part of a month-long celebration of Pina Bausch's work, co-produced with the Barbican Centre.

15 – 19 May: Rambert Dance Company. In 2012, Mark Baldwin will be celebrating 10 years as artistic director of Rambert Dance Company, and as part of these celebrations, Rambert will be reviving his reinterpretation of Nijinsky's L'après-midi d'un faune.

 

 

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Weekly Roundup: 1 November

Our calendars are filled to the brim this week, with plenty of quality dance shows to see over the next few days - with even more to look forward to next week! In addition to much-anticipated shows by Scottish Ballet, New Art Club, Ballet Ireland and more, there's also the excitement of Sadler's Wells' new season, and the announcement of the National Dance Awards shortlists. Definitely a week to enjoy!

 

 

Scottish Ballet: 3 & 4 November
Sadler's Wells
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Scottish-Ballet-Double-Bill
Trailer: bcove.me/5das7m4o

Scottish Ballet, recently touring in Los Angeles, return to London for the first time in two years, bringing modern ballet classic Song of the Earth, choreographed by Kenneth MacMillan, and a new work by contemporary ballet choreographer Jorma Elo. Song of the Earth, the final piece performed by Darcey Bussell on leaving Royal Ballet in 2007, fuses one of Mahler's song cycles with eighth century Chinese poetry.

Scottish Ballet is Scotland's national dance company,  with an extremely diverse repertoire covering the full spectrum of works all the way from classical ballet to contemporary dance, performing works by choreographers including Richard Alston, William Forsythe, Stephen Petronio, Siobhan Davies and Hans van Manen. They have just announced (1 November) that Christopher Hampson will be taking over from Ashley Page as Artistic Director - this is a very exciting time for them!



New Art Club, Big Bag Of Boom: 4 November
The Place
Tickets & details: www.theplace.org.uk/10604/whats-on/new-art-club.html

There are two types of dance audiences: those who love New Art Club, and those who haven't seen them yet. Not only are Tom Roden and Pete Shenton the funniest people in dance, but this performance is a collection of their "greatest hits", accompanied by special guest Peter Kay, and followed by a disco. Don't miss - and make sure you buy your ticket before it sells out!


Royal Ballet, Manon: 3 - 26 November
Royal Opera House
Tickets & details: www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=16853
Video excerpt with Carlos Acosta & Tamara Rojo: www.youtube.com/watch?v=91VUOM_iza8

If you haven't seen any full-length ballets before, then Manon is an excellent place to start: I saw it for the first time earlier this year and ended up seeing it five times.

As this is a late addition to the programme, this is a wonderful opportunity to see several of the Royal Ballet dancers debuting in the lead roles: Lauren Cuthbertson and Sergei Polunin are not to be missed (8 & 15 November), while the amazing Marianela Nuñez partners the less amazing Nehemiah Kish on 5 & 9 November, and Sarah Lamb performs with the lovely Rupert Pennefather on 3 & 11 November.


Worth Seeing

Reel Lives With Akram Khan: 2 November
The Place
Tickets & details: www.theplace.org.uk/10572/whats-on/reel-lives-with-akram-khan.html

Aerowaves director John Ashford will be asking Akram Khan to discuss and explore the films and filmed dance which have most inspired him throughout his illustrious career. Essential viewing for fans of his work to understand him better as a choreographer, or for those who are new to his work.



Ballet Ireland, Scheherazade & 1001 Arabian Nights: 6 November
Unicorn Theatre
Tickets & details: www.unicorntheatre.com/balletireland

'Scheherazade & 1001 Arabian Nights' sees sought-after choreographer Morgann Runacre-Temple (Cloud Dance Festival: Trouble & Desire, March 2010) creating an exciting new piece for Ballet Ireland. Don't miss this. Seriously.


CDF Corner

Platform AD: 3 - 5 November
Actors' Church (St. Paul's Church), Covent Garden
Details: www.antiquedances.co.uk/page11.html
Tickets: www.seetickets.com/Tour/PLATFORM-A-D-AT-THE-ACTORS-CHURCH-COVENT-GARDEN

The latest edition of Holly Noble's platform at Actor's Church (St Paul's Church) in Covent Garden is jam-packed-full of Cloud Dance Festival alumnae, with James Finnemore performing his solo Patriot (Firefly, July '11), Exquisite Corpse | Dance Theatre (also Firefly) performing a new work, Diciembre Dance Group (5 festivals) replacing James Wilton (Hush, July '10), the newly-renamed AD Dance Company (also Hush) performing their latest work FAWN and Beyond Repair Dance (June '07, July & December '08). Also performing is Steward Kennedy Dance Company.


Also happening:

4 November: National Dance Awards nominations

The Critics' Circle announces their shortlists for the National Dance Awards on 4 November; the winners will be announced in January 2012. You can read about each of the nominated artists and companies on their website www.nationaldanceawards.com/dance/index.htm, and you can get live updates from their Twitter account @NatDanceAwards. Expect lots of excitement, and possibly a few tears.


Also on 4 November: Live debate chaired by The Arts Desk and Dance UK on the future of dance, at 1.15pm.
The Riflemaker Gallery in Soho
Details: www.theartsdesk.com/dance/dance-faces-its-question-time-theartsdesks-live-debate

Discussing topics such as "As great changes happen in the British arts economy, what lies ahead for dance?" "What are the questions to ask about what we will watch in future, what we will create for others to see, what we will perform, what we will pay for?", this debate will be chaired by Ismene Brown of The Arts Desk with panel members including Tamara Rojo (Royal Ballet principal dancer), Alastair Spalding (artistic director & chief executive of Sadler's Wells Theatre), Arlene Phillips OBE (Hot Gossip founder, West End choreographer & TV judge), Caroline Miller (director of Dance UK) and Val Bourne (founder & artistic director for 28 years of Dance Umbrella)


14 Nov: Sadler's Wells opens booking for their spring season.
Website: www.sadlerswells.com

Hot tickets will include:

27 - 29 January: Ivan Putrov. Last seen collaborating with the Pet Shop Boys on 'The Most Incredible Thing', this show will  feature "a host of star dancers including The Royal Ballet’s Sergei Polunin; the production traces the development of the male dancer through a combination of seminal and rarely performed works".

5 February: Russell Maliphant. This will be a preview of his follow-up to the enormous success of Afterlight, called The Rodin Project, which is inspired by Rodin's works.

6 - 9 March: Nederlands Dans Theater 2. Easily one of the best contemporary dance / modern ballet companies in the world, this programme will be a continuation of NDT's 50th anniversary celebrations. NDT2 is the "youth" branch of NDT, exclusively for dancers aged 17 - 23. They are truly amazing.

26 – 28 April: Scottish Ballet. No more waiting two years for Scottish Ballet to return: this programme will feature their production of A Streetcar Named Desire.

6 June – 9 July: Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch: World Cities 2012. This is part of a month-long celebration of Pina Bausch's work, co-produced with the Barbican Centre.

15 – 19 May: Rambert Dance Company. In 2012, Mark Baldwin will be celebrating 10 years as artistic director of Rambert Dance Company, and as part of these celebrations, Rambert will be reviving his reinterpretation of Nijinsky's L'après-midi d'un faune.

 

 

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