Matthew Paluch sees Message In A Bottle: "one of those important shows that take a prevalent, complex issue and make it accessible and tangible to the masses." TitleMessage In A BottleCompanySadler’s … [Read more...] about [Review] Kate Prince’s Message In A Bottle. Dance-theatre to Sting’s music – breathtaking and important
sexuality
[Review] Balthus Variations and other delights in La Scala’s Ballet School show
The lucky ballet students of Milan’s academy at La Scala get to perform five shows on one of Milan’s most famous stages – the Teatro Strehler, named after the great director who established the famed … [Read more...] about [Review] Balthus Variations and other delights in La Scala’s Ballet School show
[Review] World premiere of Crystal Pite’s Light of Passage for The Royal Ballet
Guest author Matthew Paluch reviews the opening night of Crystal Pite’s Light of Passage, her first full-length ballet for The Royal Ballet. TitleLight of PassageCompanyThe Royal BalletVenueThe … [Read more...] about [Review] World premiere of Crystal Pite’s Light of Passage for The Royal Ballet
[Review] Korea’s Dolpagu company presents XXL Leotard, the story of a boy’s leotard fascination
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
Ballet22 – mxn en pointe
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
[Interview] Roberto Bolle: I’m very focused on what I do… that’s a difficult pact for anyone
Dedication I know I gave up my childhood, adolescence and youth, and I am also aware that those times will never come back. I was a soldier, always on the march. But I am not one of those … [Read more...] about [Interview] Roberto Bolle: I’m very focused on what I do… that’s a difficult pact for anyone
Cruelty at the Bolshoi: acid attacks and smear campaigns. Tsiskaridze responds.
Sergei Filin had been receiving intimidating phone calls for a while, and had had his tyres punctured and his email hacked, but the acid attack that has shocked the dance world is beyond all … [Read more...] about Cruelty at the Bolshoi: acid attacks and smear campaigns. Tsiskaridze responds.
Sylvano Bussotti: flamboyant composer, poet, set and costume designer, theatre director, and… and… and…
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?
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?
Critics round-up: Mariinsky at Covent Garden, Homage to Fokine
The second of six programmes brought to London by the Mariinsky was a triple bill of Mikhail Fokine's choreography: Chopiniana, The Firebird and Scheherazade. The Times explained the programming: In … [Read more...] about Critics round-up: Mariinsky at Covent Garden, Homage to Fokine
A fresh wind from the north: Lee Hall and Opera North’s Bridlington community opera will go ahead as planned
Opera North today announces that the community opera, Beached, by Harvey Brough to a text by Lee Hall, is continuing as planned. Here is the statement from their blog: We have been at pains … [Read more...] about A fresh wind from the north: Lee Hall and Opera North’s Bridlington community opera will go ahead as planned
Alan Hollinghurst’s new novel, The Stranger’s Child: “an extraordinary achievement”
Lovers of Hollinghurst's writing have been waiting a long time for the end of June 2011 and the publication of his new novel. In fact, the wait has been seven years, but now we know that it was worth … [Read more...] about Alan Hollinghurst’s new novel, The Stranger’s Child: “an extraordinary achievement”
A gay painter, an outraged headmistress, and Billy Elliott’s literary dad: opera and homophobia up north
Lee Hall, the creator of Billy Elliott, has caused a Twitter storm accusing Opera North of being homophobic. He is the librettist of 'Bleached', an exciting project based in Bridlington, East … [Read more...] about A gay painter, an outraged headmistress, and Billy Elliott’s literary dad: opera and homophobia up north
Opera by Billy Elliot writer Lee Hall cancelled over gay reference
An opera involving primary school pupils has been cancelled after the writer refused to remove references to a gay character's sexuality. The opera, Beached, written by Billy Elliot creator Lee … [Read more...] about Opera by Billy Elliot writer Lee Hall cancelled over gay reference
Patrice Chéreau on English actors, the theatre, and his homosexuality
The Guardian went to meet Patrice Chéreau who is in London to rehearse the first play he has ever directed in the UK. It's a coup for the Young Vic. The play he is rehearsing is I Am The Wind, a … [Read more...] about Patrice Chéreau on English actors, the theatre, and his homosexuality
Elizabeth Taylor: selection from a life… what today’s press has been saying, her best films and her changing look
Today's press A London-born beauty who never lost her clipped, clean way of speaking, Ms. Taylor possessed vivid features known to three generations of filmgoers: Raven hair, dark eyebrows, ivory … [Read more...] about Elizabeth Taylor: selection from a life… what today’s press has been saying, her best films and her changing look
“Don’t put your bottom in their faces” – advice on how to get to your theatre seat
Ita Buttrose, an Australian journalist and businesswoman, is probably best-remembered as the founding editor of Cleo, a high-circulation magazine aimed at women aged 20 to 40 that was … [Read more...] about “Don’t put your bottom in their faces” – advice on how to get to your theatre seat
Cecilia Bartoli leaves an interview with Manchester Confidential before her Sacrificium concert at The Bridgewater Hall
Cecilia Bartoli has been at the forefront of classical music for more than two decades. She’s sold more than eight million CDs, won four Grammys and has been awarded two classical Brit awards. Ahead … [Read more...] about Cecilia Bartoli leaves an interview with Manchester Confidential before her Sacrificium concert at The Bridgewater Hall