Interview: Christine Cox, Artistic Director of Philadelphia’s BalletX
BalletX, Philadelphia’s contemporary ballet company, will make its UK debut on 1 April as part of Ballet Nights, the compèred evenings of classical ballet, neo-classical, and contemporary dance launched in London in 2023.
Christine Cox co-founded BalletX in 2005. Under her leadership, the company has produced over 100 world premiere ballets and toured to Vail Dance Festival, The Joyce Theater, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, New York City Center, and Belgrade Dance Festival. Cox was a full-time company member with Pennsylvania Ballet from 1993 until her retirement from the stage in 2006.
BalletX’s UK debut will be at Ballet Nights on 1 April.
Christine Cox: Yes, we are incredibly excited to be performing at Ballet Nights in London during our 20th year! We are over the moon to bring a piece of our work to London, especially highlighting the incredible music of Amy Winehouse. It’s an exciting opportunity to share our artistry and mark this milestone on the international stage.
How has BalletX evolved since you and Matthew Neenan formed the company in 2005?
CC: When Matthew and I formed the company we were driven by a passion to create something that felt fresh and exciting in the world of ballet. Over the years, we’ve really doubled down on our commitment to commissioning new works, and it’s been such a joy to support choreographers from all over the world. The company’s grown into a place where artists can dream big and push boundaries, and I think that’s what sets us apart. When Matthew stepped away from his leadership role about ten years ago, I had the opportunity to build a team around the vision we’ve created, and it’s been such a rewarding journey. We’re focused on creating extraordinary dance experiences that inspire human connection, and it’s been amazing to see how BalletX has grown both artistically and as a company.
What will you be presenting at Ballet Nights?
CC: We will be performing three duets choreographed by the visionary Trey McIntyre who brings an incredible depth to his work, using iconic music to explore unexpected emotional depths. These duets from Trey’s Big Ones are to the music of Amy Winehouse, and her voice really sets the tone for the entire piece. It adds a unique layer to the work; there’s something so vulnerable and edgy about Amy’s voice that speaks directly to the complexity of the characters. The duets focus on solitude and inner emotional conflict, and the music enhances that, pulling out the contrasts between longing, regret, and resilience. Trey has such a gift for interpreting music in unexpected ways, and these songs give him the perfect backdrop to delve into those emotional depths.
What do you think London audiences will take away from BalletX’s performance at Ballet Nights?
CC: I truly believe that London audiences will appreciate BalletX’s performance because of the depth and relevance of the work we bring to the stage. Our company has always operated under the belief that ballet is for everyone, and I think that message will resonate deeply with the London crowd.
BalletX is not bound by tradition – we blend classical technique with contemporary expression, making our work accessible while still pushing the boundaries of what ballet can be. Our performances are about telling stories that speak to universal human experiences, creating emotional connections that transcend cultural or artistic backgrounds.
London audiences are known for their discerning taste and appreciation for innovation in the arts, and I believe they will be captivated by the way BalletX breaks down the walls between traditional and modern dance. We explore complex themes with sincerity and rawness, and the emotional depth we bring to our pieces is something I think the Cadogan Hall audience will connect with immediately.
So are you excited about your UK premiere?
CC: Absolutely! We’re beyond excited. It’s such an honour to share our work on a new stage in front of a new audience. London has such a rich dance culture, and we are thrilled to be a part of it. Our connection with Ballet Nights and Jamiel Devernay-Laurence [Ballet Nights’ Artistic Director] began through a shared vision for contemporary ballet. Jamiel and I both believe in pushing the boundaries of the form and when he invited us to be part of the Ballet Nights programme, it was the perfect opportunity to share our work with London audiences. We’re so grateful for this collaboration and the chance to work with such passionate individuals.
BALLET NIGHTS presents ‘PILLARS & PIONEERS’
1 APRIL – London, Cadogan Hall
7.30pm-9.45pm (including one interval)
www.balletnights.com
5 Sloane Terrace, London SW1X 9DQ (Sloane Square tube)
PART I
‘Grandes Études de Paganini, S. 141 – No. 6 in A Minor’
Composer: Liszt
Pianist: Viktor Erik Emanuel
‘Black Swan Variation’
Performed by Shiori Kase
Choreographer: Marius Petipa
Music: Tchaikovsky
Echo Echo
Performed by dancers of Scottish Ballet
Choreography: Madeline Squire
Composer: Caleb Arredondo
Safe from Sleep
Danced by Mara Galeazzi
Choreography: Marco Pelle
Composer: Arvo Part
Roughcut
Danced by Rambert School
Choreographed by Richard Alston
Composer: Steve Reich
Costume: Tim Hatley
Lighting: Peter Mumford
With thanks to Rambert School
ABC
Performed by Victor Caixeta
Choreography/lighting/costume design: Eric Gauthier
Music by Eric Gauthier and Philip Kannicht
INTERVAL
PART II
Dance of the Goblins
Performed by Michael Bochmann MBE & Viktor Erik Emanuel
Composer: Antonio Bazzini
Says Viktor Erik Emanuel: “It’s the first time I’ve worked with Michael; his playing is very exciting! The piece itself is hugely enjoyable, I think both to listen to, and to perform. It has a mercurial nature and unpredictability that from a performer’s perspective requires a good amount of control and adaptability. I’m very much looking forward to Michael and I performing together at Cadogan Hall.”
Death of the Bachelors (excerpts)
Performed by BLACBRIK
Dancers: Nahum McLean & Darius Drooh
Music: James Brown, Sam Cooke
Lighting design: Joshie Harriet
Bach Reimagined
Choreographed and performed by James Wilton & Sarah Jane Taylor
Composer and cellist: Raphael Weinroth Browne
Big Ones (Extracts)
Performed by BALLETX dancers Francesca Forcella & Jared Kelly
Choreographer: Trey McIntyre
Music by Amy Winehouse
Costume: Reid and Harriet
Lighting: Drew Billiau
(Re)Current
Danced by Mayara Magri & Matthew Ball
Choreographer: Matthew Ball
Composer: Jean Sibelius
With thanks to the Royal Ballet
Compère: Jamiel Devernay Laurence
Graham Spicer, aka ‘Gramilano’, is a writer, director and photographer based in Milan. He was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. His articles have appeared in various publications from Woman’s Weekly to Gay Times, and he wrote the Danza in Italia column for Dancing Times magazine. Graham was the historical advisor on Codice Carla, the 2023 documentary on Italian ballerina Carla Fracci.
Graham also works as a dance photographer, and his photos have appeared in many books, theatre programmes, and magazines, including Dancing Times, Dance Spirit and Ballet2000, as well as all the major Italian newspapers.
He is a member of the Dance Section of The Critics’ Circle.
