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| Programme/Script |
A varied repertoire of classical excerpts and modern works performed by the Central School of Ballet's graduate touring company.
Part I
Steps to Bach I - choreography by David Nixon
The Cygnets Dance - from Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake
The Dance of the Mirlitons - from "The Nutcracker", choreography by Peter Wright
Excerpt from Choice - choreography by Russell Mulliphant
Fireside Pas de Deux - from "Cinderella", choreography by Christopher Gable
Capriol Suite - choreography by Christopher Hampson
Part II
Steps to Bach II - choreography by David Nixon
Futility - choreography by Sarah Matthews
Do You Want To? - choreography by Phillip Aiden
Neapolitan Dance - from "Swan Lake", choreography by Sir Frederick Ashton
Arabian Dance - from "The Nutcracker", choreography by Paul Lewis
Silver Light on Water - choreography by Sarah Matthews
This year's touring production from the Central School of Ballet's showcases sixteen of the school's graduates in a repertory of short set pieces including solos, pas de deux and ensemble dances and illustrating classical and modern styles.
Although all of the dancers involved are just launching their careers and as yet are lacking some of the subtlety and finesse that can only come with experience, the performances overall were delivered to an admirably high standard with the cleverly designed repertoire taking full advantage of their youthful exuberance.
Both acts opened with classically inspired pas de deux choreographed by Northern Ballet's David Nixon to music from Bach, both of which were sensitive, elegant and stylish in contrast to the overtly romantic Fireside Pas de Deux from Cinderella. The latter was in fact one of the highlights of the first act, the other being the distinctive Cygnets dance from Bourne's all-male Swan Lake.
Highlights of the second act, were "Do You Want To?", a lively and fascinating sequence of modern dance featuring Laurel Dalley Smith, for me the stand-out performer of the evening, and the closing ensemble piece "Silver Light on Water", an exuberant and inventive classically inspired work full of liquid movement and raw energy. Best of the classical excerpts was the superb Arabian dance from Nutcracker.
The only low point of the evening was the rather dull and uninspiring "Excerpts from Choice" which featured little 'dance', consisting mostly of posturing after an extended opening sequence before the three female performers even attained their feet. The only other criticism is that the evening ended rather unsatisfyingly as the final segment seemed to just stop suddenly in mid-flow. A piece with such an brupt ending would have been much better placed in the middle of a sequence rather than at the end. As it was, the audience were a little uncertain as to whether the performance was over or interrupted by some technical problem.
Overall, a grand show, well worth catching if it comes near you, featuring some of the dance stars of the future.