Tag Archives: English National Ballet

The Nutcracker 2013, The Coliseum

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A growing Christmas tree, a floating hot air balloon, hurrying ice-skaters, mean rats, dancing snowflakes, a heroic nutcracker… Tchaikovsky’s magical ballet is the ultimate Christmas show, always elegant and wonderfully imaginative. Slump into a comfortable velvet Coliseum seat and let the immaculate dancing and mesmerising set engross you.

The orchestra bring a new energy to this familiar score. The narrative is slightly overcomplicated by the part-sharing and splitting: Junor Souza dances as the masked Nutcracker, whilst Vadim Muntagirov dances him unmasked as well as taking on the role of the Drosselmeyer’s nephew; meanwhile grown-up Clara also dances as the Sugar Plum Fairy, completely confusing me! At least the dancers seem to know what they are doing and seamlessly float from scene to scene, excelling in Wayne Eagling’s virtuosic choreography.

The lead couple, Daria Klimentova and Vadim Muntagirov complement each other, and move effortlessly in the main sequences. While James Streeter is fantastically gruesome as the shudderingly menacing King Rat. It is Eagling’s ensemble dances which really shine in this production, the pretty snowflake chorus and the second act Waltz of the Flowers highlights the English National Ballet talent.

The Tring Park School kids are a joy on stage. Assured and adorable, they animate the production, and dance and sing with an excited spring in their step.

Another magical production of the Nutcracker at the Coliseum completes the Christmas festivities.

View more information about the English National Ballet productions here: www.ballet.org.uk

The Nutcracker 2012, The Coliseum

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As ever the English National Ballet thrill and excite with their annual production of the Nutcracker. It is impossible not to enjoy the lyrical music, gorgeous costumes, romantic set and beautiful dancing in Wayne Eagling’s production of Tchaikovsky’s festive classic.

This year Daria Klimentova takes on the role of Clara, with Fabian Reimair as Drosselmeyer, James Streeter as Mouse King and Vadim Muntagirov as Nephew. It is an all star cast of brilliantly charming dancers. There is a youthful energy and excitement as they whirl energetically, taking on the lifts with precision and elegance. Credit is also due to the exceptional kids who play such a crucial role in this popular ballet. Annabella Sanders as young Clara and James Lovell as young Freddie are particularly impressive, commanding the stage as confident actors and dancers.

The orchestra follow the score with a fresh outlook, you’d never know they had been playing this ballet over and over. The music sizzles and sparkles, thanks also to conductor Gavin Sutherland who conducts beautifully. On stage there is always something to look at with a stunning set designed by Peter Farmer and glowing lighting by David Richardson. All in all this production of the Nutcracker reminds me every year of the joy of Christmas and leaves worries of presents and stress far behind.

There is constant competition between the Royal Ballet and English National Ballet, these grand Covent Garden theatres always rivalling for the top spot. With artistic integrity and creative genius the Coliseum masterpiece is the winner for me year after year.

Continues until Friday 30 December, book here.

Beyond Ballet Russes, Programme 1, English National Ballet

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The Ballet Russes were a revolutionary Russian dance company from early last century led by the esteemed impresario Sergei Diaghilev. After reviewing the recent exhibition dedicated to the subject at the V&A, I was especially keen to see the English National Ballet’s programme of their works.

Programme 1
22 – 27 March – L’Après-midi d’un faune, Faun(e), World Premiere Firebird, The Rite of Spring
Programme 2
28 March – 1 April – Apollo, Handsome Young Chap (Le beau Gosse) from Le Train bleu, World Premiere Jeux and Suite en blanc

On Saturday I went to see the first of their two programmes – it was a stunning production. The Ballet Russes’ expressive style brings an immediacy to the stage that grabs the audience’s attention from the off. The artistic team excelled in producing a show true to the Ballet Russes’ notions but with a contemporary twist that kept the show relevant and exciting for the Coliseum crowd.

The evening began with the World Premiere of the new version of Stravinsky’s Firebird. It was a wonderful spectacle with an array of colourful characters. The firebird, dressed in a glorious multi-coloured bodysuit and head-dress was performed by Ksenia Ovsyanick who danced with a graceful but fiery attitude. The peacock man was taken on by Francisco Bosch who is a strong and assertive dancer, captivating on stage.

L’Après-midi d’un faune was included in the programme to celebrate the centenary of its original performance in Paris at the Theatre du Chatelet. Two short interpretations of Debussy’s music are staged. In the first we see Vaslav Nijinsky’s 1912 original choreography with archaic, stylish costumes and set by Leon Bakst, revived by Ann Hutchinson Guest and Claudia Jeschke. The second is entirely different… two grand pianos are set either side of the stage. Two male dancers perform the duet while the familiar music is played as an arrangement for double piano. The first was authentic and endearing, the second adaptation was stunning, a brilliantly danced performance with the emphatic piano parts providing musical accompaniment from both sides of the stage.

Visually the evening was beautiful, elaborate and very dramatic. This season the English National Ballet are collaborating with talented fashion designers David Bamber and Kinder Aggugini. I was particularly impressed with the eccentric costumes for the huge cast of dancers in The Rite of Spring. They looked like a colony of evil ants in Aggugini’s striking outfits stamping energetically through Kenneth MacMillan’s complex choreography – it was quite a sight to behold. The Ballet Russes’ interpretation of Stravinsky’s menacing music was a particularly famous piece in their repertoire, with Diaghilev’s leading male dancer choreographing the piece. It is a horrific vision of a pagan ritual: a girl dances herself to death as a sacrifice to the God of Spring. Macmillan’s choreography is staggeringly virtuosic, I noticed my mouth drop open as the cast faultlessly danced through the repetitive movements. The Chosen One was played by Erina Takahashi, a very accomplished and talented performer.

The English National Ballet certainly do the great Ballet Russes justice, illustrating how this passionate and magical dance company is still very much alive a century later.

Book for Ballet Russes Programme 2 here, Continues until 1 April 2012.