A well-curated menu of established and emerging ballet talent, artfully served up by its compère Rating
Excellent
It is strange to start a review of a ballet variety show by talking about its compère, here Jamiel Devernay-Laurence. However, for an abstract form like dance, guidance on what each piece explores and how it might be read feels like reading the tasting notes on a menu: attentive, comforting and an effort to make an abstract experience more comprehensible. Ballet Nights 010: DecaDance curates an ‘international taster platform’ of ten classical, neo-classical, and contemporary works by established and emerging dance talent, artfully served up by Devernay-Laurence. Strong live performances by pianist Viktor Erik Emanuel and violist Dominic Stokes add dramatic flair.
Among the classical numbers, ‘Moszkowski Waltz’ (choreographed in the last century by Vasili Vainonen) features Royal Ballet and Opera dancers Sae Maeda and Harris Bell in a bright, delicate and joyful classical pas de deux. The duet is sweetly danced by Bell and a beaming Maeda, who showcases precise movements and whip-sharp chaîné turns. ‘Diana and Acteon Pas de Deux’thenfeatures the UK debut of Ballet de Monterrey dancers Laura Rodríguez and Gael Ventura. Rodríguez channels Diana’s athleticism and power through crisp hops en pointe and springy extensions; Ventura brings earnest punchiness to Acteon’s jumping and turning sequences.
Contemporary and neo-classical ballet dominates, considering connection and grief. Exploring vulnerability and seeking connection,’Out of Breath’ features motifs of circular pathways, pulling and reaching. Northern Ballet’s Alessandra Bramante (soloist) and Joseph Taylor (principal) bring a soft, expansive quality to the work. PCK Dance’s world premiere of ‘AE’asks ‘How do you prove you are a human?’ amidst increasing AI use. Travis Clausen-Knight and Isabelle Evans bring an energetic, twitchy quality to its hand gestures, angular jumps and extended arm movements. One senses ‘AE’ answers its own question: technology is something to fear, or at least regard with apprehension.
Jean-Christophe Maillot’s ‘Dov’è la Luna?’is a highlight. Translated as ‘Where is the moon?’ the duet explores the liminal space between life and rebirth through sleek, taut choreography punctuated by motifs of arms in fifth position (a symbolic moon). Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo’s Lou Beyne and Jaat Benoot are well-matched, delivering a balance of yearning and detachment in minimalist bodysuits which highlight their elegant lines. Sir Robert Cohan CBE’s duet, ‘Lacrymosa,’explores death from a religious angle: the reencounter between Christ and Mother Mary. There are multiple visual references: Yorke Dance project’s Amy Thake holds Edd Mitton in an embrace recalling the Pietà, the piece ending with Mitton’s arms outstretched as if on a cross. What sets ‘Lacrymosa’apart is its deep contractions, concave C-shapes from Graham technique which dramatically convey grief or intense emotions.
Royal Ballet soloist Joshua Junker performs ‘324A,’created during lockdown and named after his old address. The intimate, rectangular spotlight suggests Junker dancing at home – a tender glimpse of experiencing joy in solitude. Royal Ballet Principal Matthew Ball brings playful exploration of tools in ‘The Measure of Things,’ a solo investigating ways to engage with a metal rod as an extension of his dancing. Though Ball brings plenty of levity and technical skill, the work ultimately feels more like a showcase.
Among Ballet Nights’ ‘new futures in dance’ are the emerging talents of the Central School of Ballet, dancing to choreography by Ashley Page OBE in ‘Times Square Ballet.’ The sumptuous character dress and clean group unison sections are delightful – refreshing, earnest and spectacular in the way only a full ensemble can achieve. ‘New futures’ also includes Rambert School third years Chrysanthi Nicolaou and Django Bates-Blower in ‘Atlas,’a pulsing, club-inspired duet. The pair’s grounded confidence, contemporary partnering and use of unpolished, raw physicality are an exciting contrast, demonstrating the range and versatility of today’s dancers.
Choreography by Vasily Vainonen, George Liang, Pett Clausen-Knight, Ashley Page, Jean Christophe Maillot, Sir Robert Cohan, Joshua Junker, Chysanthi Nikolaou, Django Bates-Blower, Matthew Ball, Agrippina Vaganova, Marius Petipa
Ballet Nights host regular events. CHeck their website below for future dates.
