Ballet

The Red Shoes

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Reviewed by Matthew Forrest

Opening Night verdict ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Credit: Johan Persson

It’s nine years since Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes first graced the stage to great critical and commercial success. Now, those elegant yet troublesome rouge ballet slippers have been taken out of storage once more for a nationwide tour in 2025/26, stopping off at The Lowry, where a Matthew Bourne ballet has become something of an autumn tradition.

Based on the 1948 British film The Red Shoes by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, the ballet is set between London, Paris and Monte Carlo and follows ballerina Victoria Page (Ashley Shaw), who catches the eye of dance Svengali Boris Lermontov (Andy Monaghan). Captivated by her immense talent, Lermontov offers Page a place in his prestigious dance troupe. There, she meets another of his protégés, composer Julian Craster (Dominic North), who has been tasked with creating a new ballet.

Credit: Johan Persson

Lermontov is a perfectionist who demands that his dancers devote themselves entirely to their art – anything else is merely a distraction. Inspired by his patron’s obsessive tendencies, Craster pens a new work based on the grisly Hans Christian Andersen fairytale The Red Shoes. Page takes the lead role in the young composer’s creation, and the production becomes a runaway success, with Page emerging as a star.

But as Page and Craster’s collaboration deepens into romance, their growing bond enrages the controlling and possessive Lermontov, setting in motion a chain of events with devastating consequences for all involved.

Credit: Johan Persson

Once again, Matthew Bourne and the team at New Adventures have delivered a production brimming with talent. With a story rich in passion, tragedy and a generous dose of humour, it offers something for everyone to enjoy.

This is very much a love letter to theatre and dance, highlighting the sacrifices performers and creatives make to bring a show to the stage. We’re given a behind-the-scenes glimpse into auditions and rehearsals, complete with all the tension, jealousy and rivalries that inevitably arise. Then comes the staging of the show itself, followed by the poignant question of what happens when a performer can no longer do what they love to the acclaim they once received. It makes for truly fascinating viewing.

Credit: Johan Persson

As you would expect, the production features several exceptionally choreographed set pieces, with the gloriously colourful “Ballon de Plage” standing out as a particular highlight. This is later contrasted with the beautiful, gothic staging of Craster’s masterpiece in The Ballet of The Red Shoes. My personal favourite, a scene titled A Music Hall, is a perfect example of what this production does so brilliantly – beginning with humour and lightness before descending into a twisted nightmare, merging comedy with horror, the light with the dark.

There are several outstanding performances throughout. Ashley Shaw is fantastic as the lead, guiding us through her character’s journey from a young upstart to the driven, passionate star she becomes. Making her fall from grace is all the more heartbreaking, Shaw portrays it with remarkable sensitivity and depth. Equally impressive is Dominic North as the ambitious writer; his descent from confident, showy musician to frustrated, spurned lover is filled with a quiet sadness.

Credit: Johan Persson

Andy Monaghan cuts a brooding, menacing figure as the embittered Lermontov, while Glenn Graham is a captivating stage presence as Grischa Ljubov, the cherographer/character artist who drifts delightfully between over-the-top comedy and devilish seducer.

Another element that deserves special mention is the superb set design by Lez Brotherston. The almost ever-present movable arch and grand drape become characters in their own right, gliding around the stage, interacting with the dancers and serving as essential components of the storytelling. Visually, it is consistently impressive.

Credit: Johan Persson

The production is further enriched by the music of Hollywood composer Bernard Herrmann, renowned for his work on Citizen Kane, Taxi Driver and more, with selections from Fahrenheit 451 adding depth, atmosphere and dramatic weight.

Yet again, this is another triumph for Bourne and his team, one that will see these Red Shoes continue to dance on and on, dazzling audiences for years to come. It is fantastic storytelling, delivered by a supremely talented company at the very top of their game.

Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes is on at the  Lowry until Saturday 29th November tickets are available here.

Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake: The Next Generation

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Reviewed by Matthew Forrest

Opening Night verdict ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

It may come as a shock but Matthew Bourne’s ground breaking retelling of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake premiered some 30 years ago. The show sent shockwaves through the ballet world, and is about to do the same again as Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake: The Next Generation is spreading its wings and taking flight for a full UK tour, in 2024/25. Hopefully it won’t break any arms (strangely the third most internet searched thing about swans), but may well leave you heartbroken.

Arriving at the Lowry this week, this contemporary version sees a young Prince (Stephen Murray) woken from his slumber by a nightmarish vision of a swan. Not long after the dream, the Prince is thrust into public life by his emotionally distant mother the Queen, (Ashley Shaw), who is far more interested in flirting with the guards than showing her son any affection.

The Private Secretary (Benjamin Barlow Bazeley) sets the Prince up with a young woman, known as The Girlfriend (Bryony Wood), with the pair hitting it off. However, a series of very public gaffs by the Prince’s girlfriend leads to a near violent altercation between the Prince and the Queen, which sees the Prince flee in a drunken rage. With thoughts of suicide, the Prince goes to a local lake, only to be saved by a swan, (Jackson Fisch) the same swan from his dream. The pair are instantly attracted to each other and fall in love.

However, the course of true love doesn’t run smooth, a grand ball is hosted by the Queen, with princesses from across the land in attendance. At the ball, the Private Secretary’s son arrives, who has more than passing resemblance to the swan the Prince has fallen for. The man, dressed in all in black soon, begins to wow the princesses and even the Queen with his sexually charged dance moves and confident swagger, which upsets the males in attendance as well as the Prince, leading to the evening ending in tragedy. 

Even after 30 years this bold, innovative adaptation still manages to cast a spell on an audience like no other. The sight of muscular male dancers playing the part of the elegant swans is a powerful image and one that will stay long in the memory. It’s a master stroke, that the swan’s shift from elegant beautiful creatures to aggressive protectors, hissing and stomping at anyone who dares cross them. Visually it looks stunning as Bourne’s exceptionally choreography moulds perfectly with long-time collaborator Lez Brotherston’s gorgeous swan costumes.  It’s as intense as it is captivating.

For me the greatest trick Bourne pulls is how accessible his ballets are and Swan Lake is no different. There is a mixture of classical ballet, jazz and contemporary dance, which allows for a different viewing experience.  In addition, despite the tragedy at its core, the production is littered with some great comedic moments, from the appearance of a puppet dog, to a hilarious scene at the theatre. Whilst there is always something going on in the background with arguing couples or many a suggestive glance.  I laughed more at the comedic elements in this than I have at many supposed comedies.

The performances of Jackson Fisch and Stephen Murray as the ill-fated lovers is a triumph, with both putting their heart and soul into the performance. Bryony Wood puts in a scene stealing turn as the Girlfriend: it’s a comedic turn that entertains throughout. Benjamin Barlow Bazeley cuts an imposing presence as the villainous Private Secretary. The whole ensemble cast work tirelessly throughout, mastering the various dancing styles and making this a truly memorable experience.

In addition to the fabulous costumes, Lez Brotherston’s huge set design is impressive: from grand palace interiors to seedy back street night spots. It fills the stage, making it feel huge. The lake setting is hauntingly beautiful.

It’s another triumph for Matthew Bourne: rich, engaging storytelling, beautifully assembled by a true master of his craft.


Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake: The Next Generation is at The Lyric Theatre, Lowry until 30th November. Tickets available: Here

BRB | Swan Lake

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Reviewed by Nikki Cotter

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Birmingham Royal Ballet brings ballets greatest love story to the Lowry’s lyric stage this week and it is as breathtakingly beautiful as ever.

Set to Tchaikovsky’s instantly recognisable score, played to perfection by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, Swan Lake offers an unforgettable night of theatre. From the opening of Act I it’s clear to see why this classic production first created in 1981 by Sir Peter Wright and Galina Samsova remains a firm audience favourite. From stunningly intricate choreography to lavish sets, sumptuous costumes to sensational performances this magnificent production has it all.

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Split into four acts Swan Lake tells the dramatic love story of Prince Siegfried and Odette; impeccably danced by César Morales and Momoko Hirata. Opening with a funeral scene following the death of The King, Prince Siegfried’s fear of a forced marriage is realised. With no desire to marry he distracts himself by heading off to the Lake with faithful equerry Benno (danced wonderfully by Tzu-Chao Chou) for a spot of hunting. It is here by the moonlit waters he witnesses the majestic Odette, a stunning Swan Princess who has been cursed to live as a Swan by evil sorcerer Baron von Rothbart. The spark is immediate, and the Prince falls hopelessly in love. From here their dramatic story unfolds, exquisitely told by this highly skilled company.

César Morales excels as Prince Siegfried, athletic yet gentle his bewitching by the glittering Odette feels entirely believable. Momoko Hirata captivates entirely, her elegance as the delicate Odette in complete contrast to the determined and devious Odile. She performs the complex choreography with such graceful ease appearing at times to almost float on air. The pairing of Morales and Hirata works beautifully every intricate movement appears effortless with each moving pas de deux receiving rapturous applause.

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One thing which really stands out in this production is BRB’s ability to consistently deliver complex choreography while still ensuring the storytelling is both clear and well defined. There is never any confusion as to what is happening on stage as the company have wholeheartedly mastered the art of storytelling through dance. The addition of Phillip Prowse’s grand sets and lavish costumes adding depth and richness.

This is truly a company production and no Swan Lake is complete without the iconic cygnets whose presence on stage for the opening of Act IIIV drew gasps of delight prompting a spontaneous applause so impressive was the sight. Their perfectly in-sync delivery is a genuine moment of unforgettable joy.

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This thrilling production really is a ballet for all; young , old, long standing ballet fans and first timers alike will fall in love with BRB’s Swan Lake, epic in scale and exceptional in delivery, if you only ever see one ballet make sure it’s this one.

Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Swan Lake is on at The Lowry until Saturday 7th March tickets available here.

*Images used are 2020 touring cast

 

ENB – Cinderella

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Reviewed by Matt Forrest

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

From the moment the curtain rises on Christopher Wheeldon’s production of Cinderella, you are transported into a fairytale world, rich with colour, majestic decadence, and lashings of magic and wonder.

The production opens with the young Cinderella dancing joyfully with her parents, however happiness soon turns to tragedy as Cinderella’s Mother becomes ill and sadly dies. Heartbroken, Cinderella’s tears fall to the ground, thus sprouting a mighty tree, which will have a huge impact on our heroine as the story unfolds.

As time passes by Cinderella’s father remarries a cruel woman: in disgust at her father’s supposed betrayal of her mother, she decides to act as servant rather than join the family. In the meantime, a young Prince called Guillaume, is being pressured into finding a wife by his father, King Albert. In order to facilitate this, a ball is arranged with invitations to be handed out across the Kingdom. However, Guillaume and his friend Benjamin decide to have a little fun and swap roles with each other. A chance meeting between Cinderella and the disguised Prince ignites a passion between the two; however, with a wicked stepmother, an ambitious stepsister, and other factors standing in their way, will they get there happy ever after?

This is a three-pronged assault on the senses that creates something quite special. First, we have the iconic score of Sergei Prokofiev, filled with joy, woe, grandeur and more than a nod to his Soviet roots.

The second is the story telling and choreography of the piece. Cinderella, is one of those stories most of us are hugely familiar with however Wheeldon has spiced things up: gone is the fairy godmother, replaced by four fates who watch over Cinderella from the moment her Mother dies. The ugly sisters aren’t particularly ugly, instead one is truly mean of spirit, whilst the other is a meek timid creature, also put down by her mother. The big change is in Cinderella herself, she is a strong, independent women.

The English National Ballet, has some absolute gems in their ranks, Joseph Caley as Prince Guillaume commands the stage throughout, an excellent leading man, with a performance of power and strength, whilst Erina Takahashi is graceful, light and fluid, yet feisty. They were supported by some fantastic comedic turns from Tamera Rojo, (stepmother Hortensia) Alison McWhinney stepsister Edwina) and Katja Khaniukova (stepsister Clementine), as well as a solid, yet fun performance from Jeffrey Cirico as Benjamin, you get two Prince’s for the price of one!

For me the aesthetic of the production really sets it apart from anything you’ll see anywhere else.  From floating chandeliers, dangling chairs, enchanted forest, to beautiful flowing ball gowns, the piece manages to marry fairytale magic and royal splendour seamlessly. Set and costume designer Julian Crouch, deserves a huge amount of credit, as do the rest of the production team, they have created something truly magical.

This a production filled with spectacular set-pieces, which include a mesmerising scene where Cinderella is readied for the ball and an enormously fun scene where Guillaume and Benjamin hold a shoe fitting for every woman in the Kingdom in order to find Cinderella. However, the real jewel in the crown is the spectacular palace ballroom scene, packed full humour and romance, we have shenanigans aplenty including drunken dance floor escapades, failed courting dances, and a spot of dance floor chunder, behaviour which regularly occurs in nightclubs the land!

As part of English National Ballet’s 70th anniversary the company are celebrating and thanking its touring communities by giving away 70 tickets during each run of performances in every city they tour to. In addition to this the ballet company has gifted tickets to staff from local charities and organisations including Talbot House, Mustard Tree, Frost Foundation, Lifeshare and Teenage Cancer Trust/Christie Hospital. English National Ballet will also give a ‘Golden Ticket’ for a special English National Ballet experience or piece of merchandise to one audience member per performance in Manchester.

Accessible, beautiful, light-hearted and magical this is a production that will cast a spell over you, an absolute treat for the whole family!

Cinderella is at the Palace Theatre until the 19th October. Tickets available here.

Matthew Bourne’s Romeo and Juliet

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ROMEO AND JULIET

Credit: Johan Persson

Reviewed by Matt Forrest

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

It’s a little past 9PM and I’m sat watching a modern-day masterpiece, to many the greatest love story ever told… that’s right Love Island is on ITV 2! I jest of course; I am referring to Matthew Bourne’s Romeo and Juliet.

There have been many productions of William Shakespeare’s most famous play, but few will match the innovative, bold and daring narrative choices Bourne has made in creating his latest ballet.

This is very much a Romeo and Juliet for 2019 with the action taking place in the Verona institute: an asylum packed full of young men and women, made to live separately by a team of guards who have no qualms abusing their power or those in their care.

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Head guard Tybalt, (Dan Wright) has his sights fixed on young inmate Juliet (Cordelia Braithwaite) however she only has eyes for the Verona Institute’s latest arrival Romeo (Paris Fitzpatrick), a young man sent away by his politically ambitious parents. Romeo and Juliet, as we all know, fall in love but at a fatal cost to them both. This is of course a story most of us are as familiar with as we are our own faces, however this production subverts the narrative keeping it fresh, exciting and engaging.

Braithwaite and Fitzpatrick are outstanding as the titular leads: a mixture of grace, vulnerability and passion, fully exemplified by the pair’s penultimate dance. However all cast, including the six local dancers (local dancers will join the tour at local venues) are outstanding and fully deserve the plaudits that will undoubtedly come their way. What strikes you about any Matthew Bourne production is that every person on that stage is a fully fleshed out character and each character shines through. The masked ball sequence has been transformed into a mash up between a school disco and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and beautifully typifies the production’s narrative.

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Bourne’s choreography marries perfectly with Sergei Prokofiev’s emotive and powerful score expertly conducted by Dan Jackson. In addition, the use of all white costumes and the white tiled interior gives the production a virginal and surgical quality, which is further intensified when colour is introduced into the narrative.

Bourne has done it again, taking a traditional story and giving it a contemporary twist with references to current politics and a reliance on institutionalising people rather than treating them. However more than any of that, this is a production celebrating youth: a ballet starring young people, for young people, an absolute must-see!

Matthew Bourne’s Romeo and Juliet is on at the Lowry till 15th June. Tickets available here.

 

Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake

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Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Reviewer Kate Goerner

Some shows are so iconic that a single image immediately identifies them, and 23 years after the all-male swans first leapt onto the stage in a flurry of feathers, Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake has certainly earned this status

Taking the classic score by Tchaikovsky, and reimagining it with a male central pairing and corps, Bourne – who directs as well as choreographs – shook up the traditional concept of classical ballet with this piece when it premiered in 1995.

He admits that not everyone in the dance world welcomed the bold move but it was worth every ruffled feather!

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Now updated for 2018, the production has lost non of its impact, and indeed looks and feels as fresh as ever.

The production opens on the bedroom of a restless prince (Dominic North, whose youthful appearance belies his experience in this role). The forced perspective of Lez Brotherston’s Palace set trapping the young royal figuratively and literally – tight bed covers restricting him just as his royal role does.

The society scenes that follow are a witty joy – we even have a royal corgi – with lots of little winks and nods for the audience. There’s so much to see, this is definitely a show that would lend itself to repeat viewings to take everything in.

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We follow the Prince and his mother the Queen – an arch Katrina Lyndon giving off perfect ‘Princess Margaret in The Crown’ vibes – going about their royal business.

Trying to conform, the Prince hooks up with party girl Carrie Willis (a real scene stealer of a performance) and they go on a date to the theatre – there is some ‘classical’ ballet in the show – of sorts!

Things don’t go well and the Prince finds himself in a deserted moonlit city park – when the swans arrive, lead by Will Bozier (authoritative and reminiscent of the great Adam Cooper)

What follows is some seriously strong dancing in all senses of the word, which culminates in the mesmerising pairing of North and Bozier. Seeing the Prince shake off his doubts and realise at that moment he is free to be himself is a genuinely joyous and touching moment.

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The male company dancers as swans are menacing and magnetic – they even hiss – yet are incongruously vulnerable too. The physicality displayed is done justice by Bourne’s unique choreography – all stamps, jumps and bird-like angles.

Act II brings the sexually-charged Palace Ball scene, with Bozier doubling as the Stranger. Leather trousers replace’s Odette’s black tutu, but the edgy menace remains.

The scene gives the whole company a chance to shine – as things whirl towards the chilling conclusion of the ball, and the poignant final scene.

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The Lowry audience were straight on their feet at the end, and indeed probably would have stayed there for a while longer if the curtain hadn’t been brought down. I’m not sure I can recall a warmer and more enthusiastic response to a dance show.

A very special evening watching a very special production. At The Lowry until Saturday December 1 – one not to be missed. Tickets available here.

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Manon

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Reviewed by Kate Goerner

This week sees the arrival of English National Ballet to the Opera House in Manchester with Kenneth MacMillan’s Manon, first performed in 1974 and rarely seen outside of London.

The ballet, set to a score by Jules Massenet and reworked by Martin Yates, is based on Prévost’s Manon Lescaut, and tells the tale of Manon (Alina Cojocaru) who when being traded by her brother Lescaut (Jeffrey Cirio) meets and runs away with idealistic young student Des Grieux (Joseph Caley).

Their romantic idyll is soon shattered when Manon’s head is turned by the furs and diamonds laid on by the sleazily menacing Monsieur GM (James Streeter) and she abandons Des Grieux for him.

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They are later reunited, but they pay the price for their defiance and, somewhat inevitably, it all ends tragically in a swirling, confusing, Louisiana swamp.

Dangerous Liaisons indeed.

The powerful production is packed with extraordinary performances.

As the young lovers Cojocaru and Caley (both making their debuts in the roles) are irresistible. Their Act I playful and shy courtship pas de deux making way for a more physical pairing the following morning. And their hypnotic and heart-breaking final dance together deserved the cheers.

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As the sinister Monsieur GM, Streeter rose above being a cut-out villain, his height, combined with costume, make up and beautifully controlled body language sent a real shiver down my spine. Not a man who would take being left lightly.

Crowd pleasers were Ciro’s infectious Lescaut – his drunk dancing clearly delighted the appreciative Opera House audience – and Katja Khaniukova as his mistress, displaying both passion and control.

Artists of the company play a variety of roles from courtesans and their customers to both extremes of society – powdered faces and rouged cheeks contrasting with dirty smudges and ragged clothes, coiffed wigs with tousled hair.

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The female artists clearly had great fun in Act II in particular, inside a den of iniquity. Their romantic dresses belying their competitive nature when it came to landing a customer – behind the smiles they were all sly shoves and sharp elbows.

Mia Stensgaard’s stunning design coupled with Mikki Kunttu’s lighting brought modernity to the production. An abstract prow of a ship and an incongruous modern large scale period painting that set the scene in Act 1 brought an interesting twist to proceedings.

Indeed the scope and scale of the production is so vast that at times it seemed a little restricted on the Opera House stage – but with another literary heroine in residence down the road at the Palace, perhaps this couldn’t be helped and really is a minor reservation.

Manon truly is a stunning production that will delight and devastate in turn and again reinforces why ballet companies should be congratulated for stepping away from the more familiar tales, and enabling regional audiences to experience the rarer works.

Northern Ballet | Jane Eyre

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Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Writer Nikki Cotter

Jane Eyre has been reimagined many times, Northern Ballet’s challenge is telling this familiar story without a single word of Charlotte Brontë’s famous text being uttered. A challenge acclaimed choreographer Cathy Marston undoubtedly rises to as the key details of Brontë’s masterpiece unfold in this dynamic and visually stunning production.

Marston focusses firmly on the female characters within the piece; Jane is indisputably the heroine of the production as Abigail Prudames encompasses the passion and determination of the trailblazer through the most exquisite and precise of performances. Tested to the point of self-betrayal before her belief in love and the fierceness of her own integrity saves her, Prudames tells a story with every slight movement she makes, delivering elegance, drama and emotional depth.

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Rochester is brought to life by a brooding Mlindi Kulashe, the chemistry between Prudames and Kulashe is electric, full of passion and intensity. Kulashe capturing the complexity of Rochester’s bruised soul effortlessly, the duo glide from awkward to playful with ease before passion and intensity takes hold.

Adding further layers to the piece is Hannah Bateman’s Bertha Mason, often described as the ‘mad woman in the attic’ she is wild, highly-sexualised and unpredictable as she prowls across the stage barefoot, bathed in red.

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The production feels fresh and inspired as the pace dances through Jane’s life from tragic childhood to complex adulthood, her search for fulfilment never wavering.

An ensemble of male dancers, known as the D-Men, symbolise Jane’s inner demons, creating a clear visual image of the orphan girls emotions and inner turmoil, a superb creative decision which visually portrays the constant tug-of-war between Jane’s intensely passionate feelings and her outer reserve.

Young Jane is portrayed to perfection by Ayami Miyata, agitation and frustration depicted in her defiant, energetic movements.

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The adaptation does absolute justice to Brontë’s work, bringing the novel to effervescent life with incredible skill and creativity.

Phillip Feeney’s emotive score blends a mixture of both original and 19th-century music which compliments the contemporary feel of this piece superbly. Patrick Kinmonth’s set is sparse moving screens, muted in colour allowing the performers to really be at the centre of this piece, all lit to atmospheric perfection by Alastair West’s lighting design.

The fusing of the traditional and the contemporary ensures this is a performance packed with intensity as well as originality, a beautiful and expressive tribute to both Jane herself and author Charlotte Brontë.

On at the Lowry until Saturday 9th June tickets available here.

BRB | The Sleeping Beauty

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Opening Night Verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Reviewed by Michelle Ewen

It’s a tale that needs no introduction – one that has charmed generations (young and old) ever since the seventeenth century.

The simple story of a beautiful princess who is awoken from a sleeping enchantment by the kiss of a handsome prince. Little wonder then that people happily braved the plummeting temperatures to flock to Birmingham Royal Ballet’s five-star performance of The Sleeping Beauty at The Lowry. (Who wouldn’t want to sit inside a giant snow globe with prima ballerina Delia Mathews pirouetting prettily centre stage?)

Fulfilling its bold mission statement to: ‘…inspire and move people worldwide with the best ballet…’ Birmingham Royal Ballet have assembled a formidable company of performers, who are ably supported by a stellar creative team and accompanying orchestra – superbly conducted by Paul Murphy.

Of course, it is Delia Mathews who shines as Princess Aurora, which is considered to be the most technically demanding of all classical ballerina roles. Appointed Principal in 2017, New Zealander Mathews spends virtually the entire performance en pointe – remaining beautifully controlled, while embodying vivacity and coy flirtation with every gesture. Her Disney-handsome Prince is Brandon Lawrence, who says his proudest moment on stage to date was dancing for His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace. (How fitting!) The Bradford-born Soloist was faultless in his footwork; oozing romance and charm, he stole my heart too!

Full credit to Nao Sakuma for making one of the greatest stage entrances I’ve seen: riding high on the backs of her malevolent attendants – and dressed head to toe in black lace and sequins – Carabosse is the embodiment of evil as she curses Princess Aurora on her christening day. Though less technically demanding, her ‘pantomime villainess’ turn is perfect, right through to the final curtain.

While these ‘showy’ roles undoubtedly shine, my greatest personal pleasure was seeing the Soloists each take their own moment in the spotlight during the Prologue and Act III.

Peter Wright’s The Sleeping Beauty is based on the original choreography of Marius Petipa, and it is truly a delight to see each performer take flight – buoyed by Pepita’s steps and Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score.

As Puss-in-Boots and the White Cat, Hamish Scott and Yvette Knight are delightful, while Ruth Brill and Valentin Olovyannikov as Red Riding Hood and the Wolf get fully immersed into character with the aid of their dazzling costumes. (It comes as no surprise to find out that The Sleeping Beauty is the only ballet that requires an articulated lorry just for costumes – including 40 rails and 16 huge wicker skips. From the moment the curtain goes up, the stage is awash with crisp tutus, powdered wigs and swathes of twinkling lace!)

That brings us neatly to Philip Prowse’s design. Sumptuous and decadent, the production feels lavish in the extreme; the set is beautifully lit by Mark Jonathan (recreated by Peter Teigen), whose genius gives us a real ‘wow’ moment when we see the sleeping Aurora spotlighted through the tangled forest.

Birmingham Royal Ballet is to be truly praised for delivering on every level: dream choreography performed by a truly accomplished cast; note-perfect orchestration; and a feast for the eyes through no-holds-barred production and design.

Don’t sleep on it… The Sleeping Beauty is on now at The Lowry until Saturday, 3 March. Tickets are available here. 

Acosta Danza – Debut

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By Nikki Cotter

Internationally acclaimed star of the ballet world Carlos Acosta bring his ballet company Acosta Danza to the Lowry this week as part of the new Cuban Companies first ever UK tour. Under his artistic directorship, Acosta Danza offers audiences an opportunity to experience an engaging mixture of the finest ballet and contemporary dancers Cuba has to offer.

Act One opens with a revival of Marianela Boán’s The Crossing Over Niagara, inspired by the tightrope walker Charles Blondin who famously crossed Niagara Falls carrying a man on his back, this is a breath-taking and astonishingly controlled piece. Two male dancers move slowly and perfectly together, seemingly naked their measured flow and symmetry allows audiences to see the stress and strain such controlled movement places on the human body in this hypnotising piece. Accompanied by the music of Olivier Messiaen, the two male dancers capture the intensity of the experience perfectly, their stretch, balance and absolute trust in each other is mesmerising.

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Next comes New York City Ballet soloist and resident choreographer Justin Peck’s Belles-Lettres, performed largely en pointe the four pairs are dislodged from their loving duets by a lone figure, enigmatic and impish he disrupts the status quo forcing couples to let loose and shake off the uniformity. The piece showcases the most beautiful of classical ballet techniques, technically brilliant the dancers move effortlessly with grace and polished elegance.

Act Two opens with Award-winning Spanish choreographer Goyo Montero’s new work Imponderable inspired by Cuban folk musician Silvio Rodriguez, known colloquially as the Cuban John Lennon. Imponderable is a bold and lively abstract piece created for twelve dancers. Making full use of the Lowry’s expansive Lyric stage, the dancers, back-lit, immerse themselves in dry ice as they writhe and thrash in the mist, showing a real strength and power in their movements, later in the piece they add torch light, which allows each dancer their own spotlight as the stage lights dim.

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Next we have the much anticipated arrival of Carlos Acosta on stage. Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist has created a classic duet, Mermaid, especially for Acosta who is joined by contemporary dancer Marta Ortega. The two glide beautifully across the Lowry’s lyric stage in this mesmerising and enchanting piece as we see Acosta fall in love with the mythical sea creature, Ortega largely en pointe is deeply expressive as she displays delicately her discomfort at being a ‘fish out of water’ while Acosta reminds the audience of his strength and sublime dance ability in a powerful and moving performance.

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Final piece of the evening is UK-based Spanish choreographer Jorge Crecis’ ‘Twelve’ This is a fun and immensely physical piece as dancers move athletically whilst throwing water bottles to each other from all corners of the stage, at some points incredibly frenzied yet at all times perfectly measured. This is a astonishing piece showcasing not only the talent and discipline of the company but also their incredible fitness and agility.

Acosta Danza deliver a disciplined and daring evening, undoubtedly a debut to be proud of.

On at The Lowry until Saturday, for tickets head to https://www.thelowry.com/events/-acosta-danza

 

BRB – Aladdin

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Birmingham Royal Ballet returns to the Lowry’s Lyric theatre this week with their magical, family-friendly production of Aladdin. Taken from the stories of the Arabian Nights, David Bintley’s splendid version of this classic tale, with music by the BAFTA award-winning Carl Davis chose Salford to begin their Autumn/Winter ’17 season.

This enchanting production perfectly balances humour with beautiful chorography, and explores aspects of the tale that audiences may not have been aware of. The story begins with a young, cheeky Aladdin (Mathias Dingman) escaping the clutches of the palace guards with the help of the mysterious Magician, the Mahgrib (Iain Mackay), who subsequently tricks Aladdin into entering the dark cave on his behalf to retrieve the lamp.

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Each Act has its own crescendo which does not fail to dazzle the audience. The Cave of Riches at the end of Act I, is one of exquisite beauty, in which mischievous Aladdin is surrounded by an array of dancing gems who demonstrate a wide range of styles and techniques much to the delight of the audience. The gems lead Aladdin to the old lamp which places him on a road to riches and leads him to his true love, princess, Badr al-Budur (Momoko Hirata).

The sets and costumes become more vibrant and luxurious as the story unfolds, and as Aladdin himself becomes more accustomed to his life of luxury under the brilliantly blue Djinn of the lamp (played by Tzu-Chao Chou). The performance would not be the same without the dazzling orchestra conducted by Paul Murphy and led by Robert Gibbs, which adds to the atmosphere immensely, allowing the performance to swap and change between suspense and humour seamlessly.

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This production is bound to astonish audiences of all ages, with its delightful and superbly delivered chorography, technicoloured sets, sumptuous costumes and enchanting score. Birmingham Royal Ballet once again prove why they are one of the most loved and celebrated companies around, visually stunning, highly entertaining and not to be missed!

On at The Lowry until Saturday 23rd of Sepember tickets available here http://www.thelowry.com/events/aladdin

Reviewed by Emily Cotter

Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes

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Due to popular demand and for the 1st time in New Advenutres history, Matthew Bourne’s Olivier award winning production, The Red Shoes returns to the Lowry next week for the second time during its current season, offering audiences one final chance to catch the visually stunning and technically sublime production which has captivated audiences since its World Premiere at the Theatre Royal Plymouth in November.

Based on the academy award winning film by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger and of course the much loved Hans Christian Andersen fairytale, The Red Shoes tells the story of “Victoria Page”, the girl who yearns to become the greatest dancer in the world.

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New Adventures favourite, Ashley Shaw, most recently seen across the UK and internationally as “Aurora” in Matthew Bourne’s critically acclaimed Sleeping Beauty, takes on the role of Victoria and has enchanted audiences with her exquisite and breath-taking talent. The Red Shoes is an utterly captivating and timeless piece, a tale of heartbreak, passion and love as Victoria becomes Principal dancer in the new ballet ‘The Red Shoes’ but finds herself torn between two men, resulting in the most beautifully intense and incredibly emotive performances.

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Lifting this already superb production to an even higher level is the stunning new score arranged by New Adventures Associate Artist, Terry Davies using the magnificent music of golden-age Hollywood composer, Bernard Herrmann. The combination of this exquisite theatrical score and breath-taking performances from the New Adventures Company make this a show not to be missed.

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After it’s sell-out visit to the Lowry last December The Red Shoes returns for one week only from Tuesday 11th until Saturday 15th July tickets available here www.thelowry.com/events/matthew-bournes-production-of-the-red-shoes