johnross

The seventeenth season of the Snowman, a tale by Raymond Briggs is at the Peacock Theatre. Not to everyone's liking but if you have young children or grandchildren this evergreen show would go well. It is 4 years since I last photographed the show and sadly only Act 1 was shown as there was a performance the same night. The cast of course were different as The Boy grows up. A wonderful opportunity for a young dancer/actor. Oscar Couchman from Tunbridge Wells was The Boy at the photocall. Martin Fenton as The Snowman and Oscar Couchman as The Boy More pictures on www.johnrossballetgallery.co.uk

Sacre opened last night at the Sadlers Wells Theatre. It will be interesting to hear comments on their interpretation of the Rite of Spring. I enjoyed the triple bill. Here is a sample of the programme from the rehearsal. Members of the company in L'Apres-midi d'un faune Lorena Justribo Manion and Ygal Tsur in Scene d'Amour Maria Marta Colusi as the chosen one, and company in Sacre More pictures on www.johnrossballetgallery.co.uk

Kim Brandstrup's Transfigured Night is one of the parts of Rambert's triple bill at the Sadlers Wells Theatre this week together with Three Dancers and Rooster. Here are some pictures from yesterday's rehearsal of Transfigured Night with two duets and the company as chorus. Miguel Altunaga, Simone Damberg Wurtz and members of the company Hannah Rudd and Dane Hurst More pictures on www.johnrossballetgallery.co.uk

Hussein Chalayan's - Gravity Fatigue opens tonight at the Sadlers Wells Theatre until Saturday. With many episodes depicting facets of the fashion industry. Hard to describe the evening but with some very percussive beat throughout. You can see the variety of the performing by looking at the gallery. Corporeal Elastic Bodies Anticipation of Participation More pictures on www.johnrossballetgallery.co.uk

The very energetic and talented Hip Hop company of dancers are back in the Peacock Theatre until the 14th November prior to a national tour in 2016. The mixed tale of Spinderella, Lil Red (riding hood), Lost Kids (in the wood) and Jaxx (and the Beanstalk Towers). Here are a couple of scenes from the rehearsal. Daryl Baker - Prince with members of the company Corey Culverwell - Jaxx More pictures on www.johnrossballetgallery.co.uk

Just two performances of this elaborate and energetic programme - tonight (Monday) and tomorrow at the Sadlers Wells Theatre. Here are a couple of pictures from last night's rehearsal. The company in Genesis Qing Wang and Johnny Lloyd in Genesis More pictures on www.johnrossballetgallery.co.uk

As part of #HOFEST - Hofesh Shechter's barbarians trilogy was presented at Sadlers Wells Theatre last night. Energetic and loud. Hofesh Shechter Company in barbarians Hofesh Shechter's Company in barbarians Winifred Burnet-Smith and Bruno Guillore More pictures on www.johnrossballetgallery.co.uk

This is a bit early but to whet your appetite to see this great bunch of dancers and give you a chance to book for programme 2 from Tuesday onwards, here are some pictures to encourage you to book. Chase Johnsey (Yakaterina Verbosovich) as Kitri Chase Johnsey as Kitri and Paolo Cervellera as Basil Giovanni Goffredo and Joshua Thake as Gypsies More pictures on www.johnrossballetgallery.co.uk

I also had the pleasure of seeing this entertaining company including the new Dying Swan - Joshua Thake. Here is my contribution for your enjoyment. Yakaterina Verbosovich (Chase Johnsey), Sergey Legupski (Giovanni Goffredo), and company in Paquita Eugenia Repelsii (Joshua Thake) as the Dying Swan More pictures on www.johnrossballetgallery.co.uk

All of the above posters are quite right. My heart sinks when I see Michael Hulls has done the (lack of) lighting. As Dave says, thank goodness for the modern digital cameras which allow ASA's to go to limits not imagined with the old film speeds. Yes all my pictures were lightened as well. I hope more people complain to the companies as when we (the photographers) do, we are accused of winging.

I think this may be the wrong place to post this but as this is up and running I will just show you some pictures from yesterday evening's rehearsal. First night is tonight and I will leave comments to the critics, just to say that all three ballets were very dark. Liam Scarlett's No Man's Land Russell Maliphant's - Second Breath Akram Khan's - Dust More pictures on www.johnrossballetgallery.co.uk

The stage at Sadlers Wells Theatre was packed out by the members of the National Youth Dance Company in Apex Rising. Three well liked Sadler's Wells Associate Artists choreographers were involved. Jasmin Vardimon with (in between), Akram Khan's The Rashomon Effect and Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui's Frame(d). Here are some pictures from the three ballets. Members of the company in Jasmin Vardimon's (in between) Heather Birley and members of the company in Akram Khan's The Rashomon Effect Members of the company in Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui's Frame(d) More pictures on www.johnrossballetgallery.co.uk

Thanks Janet, have done and what an honest and excellent interview.

Dear Bruces both, I am suitably chastened and as a semi retired photo/journalist I should know better. I just wanted to read the article about Christopher Hampson as I am a great supporter of his works.

It is Bank Holiday Monday - the skies are grey and I am frustrated. One of my morning pleasures is to read the Dance Links section. It is a great service for which I would like to thank our three administrators who instead of a sleep-in create this interesting section. But what happens In New York or Melbourne or even Glasgow is a mystery as a panel appears demanding a subscription for something that should be freely available. What can be done. I know I am not the first to complain about it but I thought I might as well get it off my chest as this has been going on for some time, but when it comes to the Glasgow Herald - I snapped. Who do they think they are.

Another unusual photocall today. Some short excerpts were presented including The Swan's entrance, the Cygnets and some set pieces with Irina Kolesnikova and Denis Rodkin. After discussion we had a short session with Irina Kolesnikova on her own and Denis Rodkin on his own. The only good thing was that we were invited to photograph the Swans on the stage from the wings. Here are some pictures - Dave will have some of the same so here are some slightly different views of Swan Lake. Irina Kolesnikova - Denis Rodkin and Swans Swans from the wings Swans from the wings More pictures on www.johnrossballetgallery.co.uk

Well it was a slightly strange photocall yesterday. We had two casts so it was strange to see Sarah Thomson as Effie one minute and The Sylphide in another. Yanela Prinera was The Sylphide with Qi Huan as James and then we had Luke Schaufuss as James and Sarah Thomson as The Sylphide. Sadly most of the cast were not in costume or makeup due to lack of time. So here are some pictures of the different pairings. Sarah Thomson - Effie and Qi Huan - James Luke Schaufuss - James, Mia Heathcote - Effie and Sarah Thomson - The Sylphide Luke Schaufuss - James and Sarah Thomson - The Sylphide More pictures on www.johnrossballetgallery.co.uk

This highly energetic and colourful company return to London after 40 years and entertain at the Coliseum. Sadly we could only photograph three of the nine dances but here is a taste from Yesterday's rehearsal. Ladies of the Ballet Folklorico de Mexico in Guerrero - Guerrero Jorge Torres Chavez and Nait Alejanda Perez Altamirano and dancers in Charreada Dance of the Quetzales More pictures on www.johnrossballetgallery.co.uk

A few more pictures from the Gala. Natalia Osipova and Edward Watson in Zeitgeist Natalia Osipova in Zeitgeist Friedemannn Vogel, Joaquim De Luz, Denis Matvienko and Marcelo Gomez in Tristesse More pictures on www.johnrossballetgallery.co.uk To see Facada go to August 2014

It was a strange photocall as we had mixed casts - Acts I and II were led by Maia Makhateli and Artur Shesterikov and Act II by Anna Tsygankova and Matthew Golding. I found the whole afternoon very entertaining and colourful. So it is difficult to judge just the one performance. I am afraid I have to disagree with the above posts. We seem to be in a hurry to compare with past productions instead of enjoying what is in front of us. I have photographed very many Cinderellas over the years and I found this to be a happy and very well choreographed Cinderella. Well done Christopher Wheeldon and the Dutch National Ballet. Maia Makhateli - Cinderella , Suzanna Kaic - Stepsister Clementine and Erica Horwood - Stepsister Edwina in Act I Matthew Golding - Prince Guillame and Anna Tsygankova - Cinderella in Act II Artur Shesterikov - Prince Guillame and Maia Makhateli - Cinderella in Act III More pictures on www.johnrossballetgallery.co.uk

The Master, Paco Pena is back at the Sadlers Wells Theatre with his company of dancers, singers and musicians, until Sunday 28th June with a new programme - Flamencura. Here are some pictures from the rehearsal. Charo Espino, Carmen Rivas and Angel Munos in Martinete Carmen Rivas "La Talegona" in Granaina More pictures on www.johnrossballetgallery.co.uk

The annual showcase for members of the English National Ballet to try their hands at choreography was held at the Lilian Baylis Studio Theatre - this year two visiting choreographers Renato Paroni de Castro and Morgann Runacre-Temple were asked to contribute as well. Here are a few pictures from the rehearsal. Juan Rodriguez and Adela Ramirez in James Streeter's A Touch of Eternity Daniele Silingardi and Katja Khaniukova in Max Westwell's Fractured Memory Tiffany Hedman and Daniel Kraus in Morgann Runacre-Temple's - Give My Love to The Sunrise More pictures on www.johnrossballetgallery.co.uk

Some very interesting cinematograhic effects at Sadlers Wells Theatre at last night's rehearsal of Philippe Decoufle's Company. Very diverse pieces with plenty of humour. A couple of pictures from the rehearsal. Members of the company in Contact Sean Patrick Mombruno in Contact More pictures on www.johnrossballetgallery.co.uk

Have a word with Nigel Norrington he does some pleasant studio type shots which appear on Facebook

Hello everyone, it is good to be back. A slightly different photocall for this as we (the photographers) were all on the main stage at Sadlers Wells Theatre. Here are a couple of pictures from the rehearsal. The company in Boris Charmatz's - manger The company in Boris Charmatz's - manger Other pictures on www.johnrossballetgallery.co.uk