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[Review] Thick & Tight presents “Tits and Teeth – a retrospective of a dazzling career”

26 January 2023 by Matthew Paluch Leave a Comment

Eleanor Perry & Daniel Hay-Gordon in Queen Have & Miss Haven't, photo by Rosie Powell-01

Matthew Paluch sees Thick & Tight's "Tits and Teeth – a retrospective of a dazzling career" TitleTits and Teeth – a retrospective of a dazzling careerCompanyThick & TightVenueShoreditch Town … [Read more...] about [Review] Thick & Tight presents “Tits and Teeth – a retrospective of a dazzling career”

The lonely father – Jonathan Gray reviews a new biography of the choreographer John Cranko

3 January 2023 by Jonathan Gray Leave a Comment

Cranko & Haydee in rehearsal ph. Andreas Heumann crop

I’ve always been interested in how some theatrical works survive the years, and some do not. Giacomo Meyerbeer, for example, was probably the most famous opera composer of the middle years of the 19th … [Read more...] about The lonely father – Jonathan Gray reviews a new biography of the choreographer John Cranko

[Review] Korea’s Dolpagu company presents XXL Leotard, the story of a boy’s leotard fascination

30 September 2022 by Matthew Paluch Leave a Comment

Dolpagu presents XXL Leotard and Anna Sui Hand Mirror photo by AO

TitleXXL Leotard and Anna Sui Hand MirrorCompanyDolpagu VenueThe Coronet TheatreDate29 September 2022ReviewerMatthew Paluch Can you feel it? Can you feel the ppalli-ppalli of the Hallyu? Need … [Read more...] about [Review] Korea’s Dolpagu company presents XXL Leotard, the story of a boy’s leotard fascination

Dancing Times, May 2022 issue

1 May 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

LES ÉTOILES 2022 - Sergio Bernal and Calvin Royal III in Touché © Graham Spicer - 2947

In the May issue of Dancing Times, I write in the Danza in Italia column about the Rome performance of Touché, a lockdown creation for American Ballet Theatre by Christopher Rudd. The European … [Read more...] about Dancing Times, May 2022 issue

Top dancers provided thrills and emotion for Les Étoiles gala in a time of pandemic

15 February 2022 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

LES ÉTOILES 2022 - Sergio Bernal and Calvin Royal III in Touché © Graham Spicer - 2947

The annual Les Étoiles gala in Rome invites top dancers from all over the world to give the Italian public a taste of what can be found outside Italy’s borders. Rarely are Italian dancers included in … [Read more...] about Top dancers provided thrills and emotion for Les Étoiles gala in a time of pandemic

Touché! Les Étoiles gala features a homosexual pas de deux

27 January 2022 by Gramilano 3 Comments

João Menegussi and Calvin Royal III in Touché - photo Rosalie O’Connor, courtesy American Ballet Theatre

The Les Ètoiles gala in Rome (30 and 31 January 2022) will present some usual gala fare with the Don Quixote and Swan Lake pas de deux, and as always with this annual event there will be contemporary … [Read more...] about Touché! Les Étoiles gala features a homosexual pas de deux

[Interview] Choreographer Hervé Koubi – If we can dance together, we can live together

6 December 2021 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Hervé Koubi - photo by Véronique Chochon-01

The Hervé Koubi Company recently brought three works to Milan, which I described as being “touching, theatrical and important”. It is the essence of Hervé Koubi’s creative output, producing dance … [Read more...] about [Interview] Choreographer Hervé Koubi – If we can dance together, we can live together

Ballet22 – mxn en pointe

22 August 2021 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Ballet22 crop

Lockdowns have been crippling for dancers and dance companies, but many have eagerly sought out silver linings and the enforced time out has given opportunities for reflection and reinvention. A … [Read more...] about Ballet22 – mxn en pointe

Sergei Polunin on Liam Scarlett, Russian gays, and getting rid of his Putin tattoo

1 May 2021 by Gramilano 3 Comments

Sergei Polunin, Free - A life in images and words crop

In an interview with The Telegraph’s Louis Wise, Sergei Polunin dodges the hand grenades he launches about comments in the past about homosexuals and women, and his jaw-dropping Vladimir Putin tattoo. … [Read more...] about Sergei Polunin on Liam Scarlett, Russian gays, and getting rid of his Putin tattoo

James Whiteside offers Harlequin dance floors to young dancers

21 December 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Tiler Peck with James Whiteside in Al Blackstone's “A Tea Dance - I Haven’t Seen You Since Lockdown”

Fancy Nut Mix is an online benefit concert devised by American Ballet Theatre’s James Whiteside to raise money to provide dance floors to young dancers. The half-hour programme is now available on … [Read more...] about James Whiteside offers Harlequin dance floors to young dancers

Dancing Times, the world’s oldest dance magazine, celebrates 110 years

1 October 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Dancing-Times-logo-1

1910 saw George V ascend to the throne, the trial and execution of Dr Crippen, the publication of E M Forster’s Howard’s End and the birth of Alice Marks, later Alicia Markova, the country’s first … [Read more...] about Dancing Times, the world’s oldest dance magazine, celebrates 110 years

Sergei Polunin on sex change, his new girlfriend, and manning up

16 June 2019 by Gramilano 10 Comments

Romeo and Juliet with Sergei Polunin

In an interview, before several appearances in the Italian peninsula over the next two months, Sergei Polunin said, I deeply believe in love. It’s a universal feeling; everyone wants to love and be … [Read more...] about Sergei Polunin on sex change, his new girlfriend, and manning up

Rights group asks for Polunin ballet in Verona’s Arena to be cancelled

15 May 2019 by Gramilano 3 Comments

Sergei Polunin's tattoo of Vladimir Putin on his Instagram account, CREDIT INSTAGRAM

A full-page article in today’s Corriere della Sera, a major Italian newspaper, has the headline: Polunin, the bad boy of dance “is homophobic”. After recent Instagram postings which were widely … [Read more...] about Rights group asks for Polunin ballet in Verona’s Arena to be cancelled

Photo Album: In the Upper Room and Embrace with Birmingham Royal Ballet

16 November 2018 by Gramilano 1 Comment

29 Embrace by George Williamson with Brandon Lawrence and Delia Matthews © Dasa Wharton, Birmingham Royal Ballet 2018 02 01

  In the Upper Room and Embrace were part of a triple-bill programme by Birmingham Royal Ballet called Polarity & Proximity. Embrace, a new ballet commissioned from choreographer George … [Read more...] about Photo Album: In the Upper Room and Embrace with Birmingham Royal Ballet

Priscilla the musical in Milan reveals the heart beneath the glitter

9 July 2015 by Gramilano 2 Comments

After having seen the musical Priscilla, I’ve decided to come out: I’m a Sondheim fan. Yes, Into the Woods, Sweeney, the lot… even Merrily We Roll Along and The Frogs. Every cd, the live recordings, … [Read more...] about Priscilla the musical in Milan reveals the heart beneath the glitter

Vittorio Grigolo jokes “I’m a sex addict”

3 July 2015 by Gramilano 1 Comment

In an interview with Italy’s Vanity Fair, the always outspoken tenor, Vittorio Grigolo, responded to journalist Sara Faillaci’s question, “Is sex important for you?” with, My name is Vittorio. I’m a … [Read more...] about Vittorio Grigolo jokes “I’m a sex addict”

The Tricks of the Trocks: powder, ice and pointe shoes

14 March 2015 by Gramilano 1 Comment

The audiences laugh, sometimes the dancers laugh, but getting a dozen or so male dancers on pointe through more than one hundred performances a year is no laughing matter. Being a Trock is a serious … [Read more...] about The Tricks of the Trocks: powder, ice and pointe shoes

The Tricks of the Trocks: questions and answers with Chase Johnsey

Can you give a quick background leading up to how and why you finished up as a Trock? I had a unique experience leading up to joining Ballets Trockadero. My first year at Harrison School of the Arts, … [Read more...] about The Tricks of the Trocks: questions and answers with Chase Johnsey

Sergei Polunin’s Take me to Church: pirouettes or politics?

14 February 2015 by Gramilano 6 Comments

In the week since David LaChapelle’s video with Sergei Polunin went online it has gone viral, even sending this blog offline a couple of times due to the surge in people searching for information … [Read more...] about Sergei Polunin’s Take me to Church: pirouettes or politics?

Joyce DiDonato sings Purcell at Stonewall

4 February 2015 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Joyce DiDonato has paid tribute to victims of intolerance and injustice in an NPR Music “Field Recording” video, released today at npr.org. In the video, DiDonato performs Purcell’s When I Am Laid In … [Read more...] about Joyce DiDonato sings Purcell at Stonewall

Joyce DiDonato dedicates Last Night of the Proms performance to Russian gays

7 September 2013 by Gramilano 4 Comments

Joyce DiDonato has always been fearlessly honest, or at least, has the courage to be honest, though it may cost her a great deal emotionally to get over her fear. I don't know, but I do know that her … [Read more...] about Joyce DiDonato dedicates Last Night of the Proms performance to Russian gays

Joyce DiDonato dedicates her performance to gay suicide teen Carlos

19 July 2013 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Tonight I would like to dedicate my performance of La donna del lago to the memory of Carlos Vigil - a New Mexican teen who committed suicide after being mercilessly bullied throughout school. His … [Read more...] about Joyce DiDonato dedicates her performance to gay suicide teen Carlos

Ballet dancer forced out for making gay porn videos

9 July 2013 by Gramilano 7 Comments

A ballet dancer with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School is claiming that he has been unfairly dismissed because he acts in pornographic videos. 22-year-old Jeppe Hansen from Denmark, joined the Royal … [Read more...] about Ballet dancer forced out for making gay porn videos

In and Out: Bolle, Gomes, Stiefel – how easy is it to be an openly gay ballet dancer?

7 July 2013 by Gramilano 21 Comments

When Roberto Bolle popped out and in of the closet four years ago internet forums and gossip rags foamed at the mouth. Openly gay ballet dancers, like openly gay actors and singers, are few and far … [Read more...] about In and Out: Bolle, Gomes, Stiefel – how easy is it to be an openly gay ballet dancer?

Barbra Streisand’s last concert

16 June 2013 by Gramilano 1 Comment

With last night's concert in Berlin, Barbra Streisand said auf wiedersehen to Europe forever. In fact, apart from two last concerts in Israel, she is saying goodbye to live concerts … [Read more...] about Barbra Streisand’s last concert

Sylvano Bussotti: flamboyant composer, poet, set and costume designer, theatre director, and… and… and…

27 December 2012 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Silvano Bussotti, known as Sylvano, is an Italian eccentric, some say genius, and the word 'flamboyant' appears in many articles about this modern Renaissance man. He is a composer, poet, set and … [Read more...] about Sylvano Bussotti: flamboyant composer, poet, set and costume designer, theatre director, and… and… and…

The Man I Love – was George Gershwin gay?

2 November 2012 by Gramilano 6 Comments

Michael Feinstein’s book on the Gershwins called, sensibly, “The Gershwins and Me” (Simon & Schuster) was published in October. While he was still working in piano bars, Feinstein got to know Ira … [Read more...] about The Man I Love – was George Gershwin gay?

Filippo Timi can be excellent, so he shouldn’t be anything less: Romeo and Juliet in Milan

21 July 2012 by Gramilano 2 Comments

What to think of Filippo Timi? After the extraordinary success of his Amleto² (Hamlet squared) comes Giuliett' e Romeo (a loose adaptation of Romeo and Juliet). There are just five characters: the … [Read more...] about Filippo Timi can be excellent, so he shouldn’t be anything less: Romeo and Juliet in Milan

Gay association asks for Valentine’s Day discount

12 February 2012 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Gay advocacy association Equality Italia has asked that gay and lesbian couples be included in cultural initiative discounting entrance fees for Italian state museums on Valentine's Day. According … [Read more...] about Gay association asks for Valentine’s Day discount

Oliviero Toscani stirs up controversy with his new penis calendar

23 December 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Photographer Oliviero Toscani, best known for his provocative ad campaigns for Benetton, is causing scandal once again with his 2012 calendar for a leather-tanning consortium showing close-ups of 12 … [Read more...] about Oliviero Toscani stirs up controversy with his new penis calendar

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NEWS

Pam Tanowitz’s Secret Things, her second world premiere for The Royal Ballet this season

Prix de Lausanne 2023 – the full lineup

Principal dancer Jared Angle to give final performance with NYCB

The Australian Ballet will tour to the Royal Opera House in August 2023

Les Étoiles – the starry Rome gala at the end of January, now with two programmes

Alexei Ratmansky joins New York City Ballet as Artist in Residence

Ballet dancer Denis Vieira dies in Cyprus at 31

Bruno Vescovo, former principal dancer with the La Scala Ballet, has died at 73

In Memoriam 2022: Singers, Dancers, Actors, Writers, Directors

Sergei Polunin’s Rasputin show in Milan is cancelled

FEATURED POSTS

Lawrence Brownlee, © Shervin Lainez

Interview with tenor Lawrence Brownlee on being a black man in America: Cycles of My Being

You choose it out of Love! Dancing with the Khan-MacKay family

Vadim Muntagirov answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

Joyce DiDonato answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

Luca Pisaroni as Leporello in Don Giovanni at Glyndebourne   photo by Bill Cooper

In conversation with Luca Pisaroni: back to Milan with his La Scala debut

How to stage a ballet… Maina Gielgud explains

Yasmine Naghdi in rehearsal for Tarantella, The Royal Ballet © 2017 ROH. Photograph by Bill Cooper

[Interview] The Royal Ballet’s Yasmine Naghdi: a time to reflect

Vittorio Grigolo’s new women’s shoes and a song for Hillary Clinton

franco fagioli © thibault stipal, 2014

Franco Fagioli answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

Nunez headshot cropped

In conversation with Marianela Nuñez

GRAHAM SPICER

Writer, director and photographer in Milan, blogging (under the name ‘Gramilano’) about dance, opera, music and photography for people who are a bit like me and like some of the things I like. I was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. My scribblings have appeared in various publications from Woman’s Weekly to Gay Times. I write the ‘Danza in Italia’ column for Dancing Times magazine.

You can find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, or follow my Facebook page.

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