Review: London City Ballet, Momentum, Sadler’s Wells

London City Ballet are back on tour, entering their second season after a nearly thirty-year hiatus. The former resident company of Sadler’s Wells presents Momentum, a showcase of lesser-seen ballet repertoire, by choreographers from across the globe, nimbly assembled to highlight the great talent in its current cohort.

The entire company are exquisite, and display incredible connection to the material, placing storytelling at the forefront. They tackle the challenging and greatly varied choreography with ease and precision, and are entrancing to watch.

Opening with Haieff Divertimento by American choreographer George Balanchine, the performance is lively and crisp, with the mastery of technique put on full display from the off. The brisk style of movement is one that the company brilliantly encapsulates, evoking a distinctly traditional Balanchine feel. This piece has no greater meaning or deep message; it is joyful and light – a perfect antidote to everyday life.

The late Liam Scarlett’s piece Consolations & Liebestraum is emotional and moving. Having not been performed since its premiere in 2009, it is a treat to get to see this work, and by an incredible team of dancers including former Royal Ballet Principal and guest artist of the London City Ballet, Alina Cojocaru. It is striking, with trust between dancers beautifully complementing the complexity of the story being told. The use of breath is particularly catching, allowing the audience to connect with every moment. The piano is played live this evening by Reina Okada, who, with great skill and empathy, accompanies both this piece and the Ratmansky piece during Act Two.

Soft Shore by Florent Melac closes out the first act, falling more on the contemporary side, and is composed of two pas de deux couples. It feels daring and wild, as the couples intertwine, projecting a poetic atmosphere, aptly aided by the music of Beethoven. The lighting design by Andrew Ellis & Mark Stanley particularly shines throughout this piece, casting shadows in an eerie, blue-lit state.

The second act is dedicated to Pictures at an Exhibition by Alexei Ratmansky, which is centred around the famous artworks of Wassily Kandinsky. This truly shows the full range of the company. It’s light, playful and comedic in places, juxtaposed with harsh and heartfelt moments, whilst images of Kandinsky’s work are projected behind to complement the pieces.

London City Ballet are at the top of their game, and this brilliantly selected repertoire of unseen ballet pieces by Artistic Director Christopher Marney highlights the exceptional talent of its dancers.

Artistic director: Christopher Marney
Rehearsal directors: Kate Lyons, Juan Eymar
Repetiteurs: Laura Morera, Amar Ramasar, Deborah Wingert
Lighting design: Andrew Ellis, Mark Stanley
Production design: Wendall K. Harrington

This performance is now finished. London City Ballet, Momentum, is set to tour to venues across the globe.