Johan Kobborg asked David Umenoto to design the sets for his Romeo and Juliet which has its world premiere in Verona’s vast Arena on 26 August. The commission came about after Kobborg had seen an exhibition of Umenoto’s sculptures:His works are contemporary but respect the past – you can feel the importance of memory yet there is a profound break with it. After seeing his … [Read more...] about Interview with Johan Kobborg and Alina Cojocaru on the eve of their new Romeo and Juliet
Sergei Polunin
Royal Ballet’s Valentino Zucchetti is Mercutio in the Kobborg-Polunin-Cojocaru Romeo and Juliet
On the 26 August, there will be a single performance only of Johan Kobborg’s new production of Romeo and Juliet with Sergei Polunin and Alina Cojocaru in the title roles. But when the theatre in Verona’s vast Arena with 30,000 seats it is the equivalent of a 15-performance run in an opera house.Joining them on stage will be The Royal Ballet’s First Soloist, Valentino … [Read more...] about Royal Ballet’s Valentino Zucchetti is Mercutio in the Kobborg-Polunin-Cojocaru Romeo and Juliet
Sergei Polunin on sex change, his new girlfriend, and manning up
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 loved. Today, I see a separation between men and women with too much aggressivity and competition between the sexes. For me, if I don’t have love in my life, I’m unable to do … [Read more...] about Sergei Polunin on sex change, his new girlfriend, and manning up
London Theatre Direct halts ticket sales for Sergei Polunin’s London performances
The ticket sales and distribution company London Theatre Direct has announced that it will stop selling tickets to Sergei Polunin’s London Palladium shows. A press release says,London Theatre Direct formally announce today that they will be halting ticket sales for Sergei Polunin's upcoming mixed dance programme at the London Palladium. The decision comes after the … [Read more...] about London Theatre Direct halts ticket sales for Sergei Polunin’s London performances
Rights group asks for Polunin ballet in Verona’s Arena to be cancelled
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 discussed, Sergei Polunin found sponsors disappearing and an engagement at the Paris Opera Ballet cancelled. The most commentated post was the one where he urged male ballet dancers to … [Read more...] about Rights group asks for Polunin ballet in Verona’s Arena to be cancelled
Photo album: Osiel Gouneo as Spartacus with the Bayerisches Staatsballett
The Bayerisches Staatsballett is the first Western European company to dance Yuri Grigorovich’s Spartacus, which he created in 1968 for the Bolshoi Ballet. It has become the trademark Soviet ballet. The premiere in Munich was part of a concept to present productions that have been milestones in ballet history.The mini-run (other performances follow in May) saw Sergei … [Read more...] about Photo album: Osiel Gouneo as Spartacus with the Bayerisches Staatsballett
Dancing Times, February edition – including Gramilano’s Danza in Italia column with La Scala’s new Nutcracker
Cover girl for the February edition of Dancing Times is Ballet Black’s Isabela Coracy, photographed by Angela Zaremba, who is the Dancer of the Month. It was announced recently that Ballet Black will be collaborating with Birmingham Royal Ballet during its next season.Editor Jonathan Gray interviews Northern Ballet’s Javier Torres, Nicola Rayner meets Bonnie Langford who is … [Read more...] about Dancing Times, February edition – including Gramilano’s Danza in Italia column with La Scala’s new Nutcracker
Rights for Ralph Fiennes’ Rudolf Nureyev biopic acquired by Sony
Sony Pictures Classics has acquired rights to Ralph Fiennes' film The White Crow.The film is based on Julie Kavanaugh's book Rudolf Nureyev: The Life, directed by Fiennes and written by David Hare (The Hours, The Reader). HanWay Films, who is handling worldwide sales, co-financed the film together with BBC Films and Rogue Black.Ballet dancer Oleg Ivenko plays Rudolf … [Read more...] about Rights for Ralph Fiennes’ Rudolf Nureyev biopic acquired by Sony
Meet Francesco Gabriele Frola — National Ballet of Canada and English National Ballet’s new Principal Dancer
Italian ballet dancer Francesco Gabriele Frola has been promoted to Principal Dancer of the National Ballet of Canada and at the same time becomes a Principal at English National Ballet.Dance is in his DNA. His parents, both former dancers, run a dancing school, Professione Danza, in Parma, the city where Gabriele spent the first 16 years of his life. He is the eldest of four … [Read more...] about Meet Francesco Gabriele Frola — National Ballet of Canada and English National Ballet’s new Principal Dancer
Yanowsky’s Back! Making a comeback faster than Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra famously retired in 1970 only to make a comeback three years later, after which he continued to sing into the '90s.Former Royal Ballet Principal Zenaida Yanowsky is making a faster comeback than Ol' Blue Eyes.After 23 years with The Royal Ballet, Zenaida Yanowsky gave her final curtain call on the Covent Garden stage in June of this year. Her final … [Read more...] about Yanowsky’s Back! Making a comeback faster than Frank Sinatra