Stuart Sweeney
In this time of self isolation and closed theatres, dance enjoyment can still be obtained online. Here is the second part of some links from the Royal Opera House and one from Sadler’s Wells. I’ll put up more in the next few weeks.
The Royal Opera/The Royal Ballet’s Acis and Galatea, choreography by Wayne McGregor
https://youtu.be/W8SL2RJYXAg
As part of Our House to Your House, on Friday 3rd April 2020 at 7pm UK time, the ROH will broadcast on youtube Wayne McGregor’s production of Acis and Galatea by Handel and it will remain on the ROH channel. This is one I missed first time round, so I am keen to catch up. Here is what Judith Mackrell wrote at the time:
In Acis, Lauren Cuthbertson and Edward Watson make a strong case for doubling dancers and singers – these were irresistibly pastoral lovers, playful and languorous without any whimsy. The duet shadowing Damon’s lament at the death of Acis also added an eloquent physical register, and it was only in the muted choreography for Polyphemus that McGregor’s dramatic range fell short.
And from Sadler’s Wells:
Rumplestiltskin by Liv Lorent and Carol Ann Duffy
https://www.facebook.com/SadlersWells/
Sadler’s Wells announces this week’s additions to its Digital Stage programme – a special matinee screening of balletLORENT’S Rumpelstiltskin this Friday 3 April, 2020 at 3pm UK time in a special day time screening for families, via this link and then available to watch for seven days thereafter.
Director Liv Lorent joins forces with poet Carol Ann Duffy to retell the story of Rumpelstiltskin, an outsider shunned for being different. Stunningly beautiful, heart-warming and set in a spellbinding world of spinning wheels, kings and queens, Rumpelstiltskin is a mesmerising tale of love, loss and magical powers. With a score by Doctor Who composer Murray Gold, costumes designed by Michele Clapton (Game of Thrones), and narration by actor Ben Crompton, Rumpelstiltskin is the perfect treat for families. BalletLORENT had originally been due to perform as part of Sadler’s Wells’ Family Weekend this Easter.
The ROH runs a series of Insight Evenings with different formats, lasting around 90 minutes. The most interesting are those focusing on rehearsals of new works or ones coming back into the rep. and they are available on YouTube. The usual format consists of a conversation with the choreographer and dancers and the rehearsal of two scenes from the ballet.
The Genius of Kenneth MacMillan (The Royal Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet)
https://youtu.be/Hf_0lXz85B0?list=PLFEuShFvJzBzEF9aiXn7-LiRaNIkHTUgt
This Insight event is part of Kenneth MacMillan: a National Celebration, a festival which brought together leading British dance companies to celebrate MacMillan’s legacy, on the 25th anniversary of his death.
Two contrasted pas de deux from Concerto and The Judas Tree combined with an introduction to MacMillan’s work by his biographer, Jann Parry and a discussion with some of the artists most closely associated with the choreographer including Monica Mason, Darcey Bussell, Alessandra Ferri and Leanne Benjamin.
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Christopher Wheeldon
https://youtu.be/KqjWNhmd6Hw?list=PLFEuShFvJzBzEF9aiXn7-LiRaNIkHTUgt
As well as sections featuring the cast being coached through sections of Christopher Wheeldon’s hit ballet (not my favourite) the livestream offers a closer look at the many props and puppets that bring Wonderland to life. The event is presented by Royal Ballet Principal Alexander Campbell, who is clearly a natural in this role.
Infra by Wayne McGregor
https://youtu.be/GzFNftVGvpU?list=PLFEuShFvJzBzEF9aiXn7-LiRaNIkHTUgt
Note that this video starts with several minutes of the Max Richter Quartet.
One of McGregor’s most successful works for the Royal Ballet. We also see a prominent role for one of the RB’s Benesh notators. From the RB:
Join dancers of The Royal Ballet, Wayne McGregor and the Max Richter Quartet for a glimpse into rehearsals for Infra. In Wayne McGregor’s masterpiece of abstract ballet, 12 dancers portray the emotions beneath the surface of human interaction – the title Infra comes from the Latin word for ‘below’. This collaboration with artist Julian Opie was created for The Royal Ballet in 2008, and has been performed around the world to critical acclaim. Infra explores the feelings we keep hidden from those around us; a crowd surges past one woman who remains still, her private grief gut-wrenchingly evident for the audience, but unnoticed by the crowd. This ground-breaking work remains one of McGregor’s finest, and one of contemporary ballet’s most emotionally resonant pieces.
Enigma Variations by Sir Frederick Ashton
https://youtu.be/I8so6BvznKs?list=PLFEuShFvJzBzEF9aiXn7-LiRaNIkHTUgt
Christopher Saunders coaches one of Ashton’s most popular works with a panoply of roles: humourous, romantic and fine central roles for character dancers as Elgar and his wife. From the RB:
Ashton’s Enigma Variations is quintessentially British in every way – from its score by Elgar and period designs by Julia Trevelyan Oman, to Ashton’s signature style, the essence of British ballet.
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