Matthew Bourne’s contemporary re-imagining of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is set in the not-too-distant future in ‘The Verona Institute’. ‘Difficult’ young people are mysteriously confined by a society that seeks to divide and crush their youthful spirit and individuality. The two young lovers follow their hearts and risk everything to be together.The production – ‘One of … [Read more...] about Matthew Bourne’s new Romeo and Juliet comes to cinema screens
Matthew Bourne
Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake to be screened in cinemas 21 May
Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake will be screened in cinemas in the UK on Tuesday 21 May 2019.Bourne says,I’m thrilled that this brand-new production of my Swan Lake will be in cinemas… It has become a modern classic much beloved by the British public and throughout the world. Its popularity has never been greater, and several generations of audiences have been inspired and moved … [Read more...] about Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake to be screened in cinemas 21 May
Winterreise: Angelin Preljocaj’s new work for La Scala, with rehearsal photos
Schubert’s Winterreise is the basis of Angelin Preljocaj’s new work commissioned by La Scala.It continues the series of ballets at the theatre using chamber music and a smaller group of dancers than for standard repertory works, which haven’t been huge successes in the past – enough to say that no piece has returned after its initial outing. Heinz Spoerli’s Cello Suites … [Read more...] about Winterreise: Angelin Preljocaj’s new work for La Scala, with rehearsal photos
Matthew Ball in Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake
Luke Jennings – The ObserverFrom the moment of his first entrance, it’s Ball’s show. As well as being an assured technician, he’s a dance actor of real charisma. As the Swan, he’s dangerous and commanding, all sinew and hissing aggression; and as the Stranger he’s as disdainful as he is sexually predatory, cutting a ruthless swath through the female courtiers before finally, … [Read more...] about Matthew Ball in Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake
The Royal Ballet promotions for 2018/19 season: Matthew Ball has been promoted to Principal dancer
Kevin O’Hare, Director of The Royal Ballet, has announced that Matthew Ball has been promoted to Principal Dancer. He said,I’m delighted that Matthew Ball will be a Principal dancer from the start of the 2018/19 Season. He has had a tremendous year with very exciting debuts in both classical and contemporary ballets across the repertory as well as creating roles in the new … [Read more...] about The Royal Ballet promotions for 2018/19 season: Matthew Ball has been promoted to Principal dancer
Tributes to choreographer Dame Gillian Lynne flood in from the worlds of musicals and ballet
A tweet from Peter Land on Dame Gillian Lynne’s account on Sunday evening, 1 July, announced that the beloved choreographer had died - she was 92:Rest In Peace my darling Gillie. I am heartbroken to write that Dame Gillian Lynne DBE & my dearest wife & friend & love for 40 years passed away at 6.20pm tonight 1st July 2018 at the Princess Grace Hospital. She … [Read more...] about Tributes to choreographer Dame Gillian Lynne flood in from the worlds of musicals and ballet
Akram Khan’s Giselle – ENB’s smash hit in words and pictures
Akram Khan’s new Giselle is a work of immense confidence and scouring anger. Reimagining one of ballet’s most-loved classics, the story of a village girl betrayed by a nobleman, this production is another big, ambitious risk taken by English National Ballet under director Tamara Rojo. It proves to be a triumph for the company and its choreographer. – Zoë Anderson, THE … [Read more...] about Akram Khan’s Giselle – ENB’s smash hit in words and pictures
Dancer Jonathan Ollivier was killed by a minicab driver making a hands-free call
Jonathan Ollivier was tragically killed on his way to dance in the final performance in Matthew Bourne's The Car Man in London. A court has heard that the minicab driver that hit Ollivier’s motorbike was making a hands-free call on his mobile at the moment of the crash. He had headphones in both ears.Ollivier came off his motorbike and crashed into a lamppost causing fatal … [Read more...] about Dancer Jonathan Ollivier was killed by a minicab driver making a hands-free call
ENB’s Emerging Dancer competition to be streamed live on 17 May
The English National Ballet’s Emerging Dancer competition at the London Palladium, now in its seventh year, will this year be live streamed for the first time. The broadcast will be in partnership with ArtStreamingTV on Tuesday 17 May 2016.It will be possible to watch the full programme of performances, as well as interviews from some of the artists involved and additional … [Read more...] about ENB’s Emerging Dancer competition to be streamed live on 17 May
Nutcracker-lite at La Scala – très chic Casse-noisette from Geneva
What a disappointment was La Scala's new Nutcracker. A shimmering front-cloth announced "Lo schiaccianoci" as though written in the stars, Tchaikovsky's bewitching overture started and there was that Christmassy buzz of excitement... a feeling that only lasted five minutes or so. With the odd decision to have a narrative voice-over clash against the music - and saying nothing … [Read more...] about Nutcracker-lite at La Scala – très chic Casse-noisette from Geneva