Central School Tour performance at The Britten Theatre, London on Tues 20th July

[Mandy Kent]

Ballet Central Tour 2021 Britten Theatre, Royal School of Music, London Tues 20th July 2021 

 

The penultimate performance of the graduate students show proved what a talented group they are. Despite the adversities of lockdown and ‘working from home’ these dancers and their teachers achieved a highly professional performance with little time for real-life rehearsals. 

 

Hats off indeed to their Artistic Director, Christopher Marney, for all he has achieved during his tenure. His connection with Central, as a student and as a teacher, has been long-lasting and the accolades that were given at the end of the show are testimony to his dedication and inspiration. 

It’s a Swansong for Chris though, as he leaves Central School of Ballet for pastures new at the end of the week. He can rightly be proud of his legacy and of his students for their talent and enthusiasm in tonight’s performance... 

 

There were three pieces; the first half comprised of classical The Corsaire Act 1 (Petipa), and after a pause a new contemporary work ‘jigsaw’ by Charlotte Edmonds. Following the interval, the second act of Highland Fling (Sir Matthew Bourne) was extremely well done and very entertaining. As you can imagine this level of diversity had its challenges but provided a perfect display case of the dancer's many talents in the classical and contemporary style. 

 

The Corsaire (Petipa and Mazilier, revised and additional choreography by Christopher Marney) is a fabulous treasure chest of Pirates, Pirate women, Odalisque Girls, A Dancing Slave Ali, a Scimitar wielding Conrad and a beautiful slave girl Medora. The Pirate Chief Lakendem ( Xholindi Muci) was suitably proud, jealous and exuberant. Medora ( Angela Albonetti) beautiful and winsome, Conrad ( Owen Horsford) determined to get his girl and Gulnare ( Sakura Kawamura) beguiling us with her harem dances.

 

Everyone danced their hearts out, in fabulous costumes and perfectly executed steps. What a romp. Ali certainly had a chance to shine although the famous PDT with Conrad, Medora and Ali is in Act 2 so we will have to watch out for more from these terrific dancers at a later date... 

 

Edmonds’ jigsaw’ was a spiky, contemporary piece, lit by ‘moonbeams’ and with dry ice swirling around the dancers. Live music composed and played live by Philip Feeney created the impetus for the dance which was superb. 

A cast of eight, with their individual choreography slightly off kilter, produced a mesmerising work.The group movements were spikey, jittery and dis-jointed, the duet at its heart (Brandon Brereton and Sakura Sato) was elegant, fluid and romantic in an alternative way. 

 

In the interval we were treated to a drinks reception where I had the opportunity to say hello to Dominic North who was there to help stage Highland Fling. Many of you will remember Dom in Sir Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake as the Prince. It was also good to see Ricardo Cervera of the Royal Ballet and Royal Ballet School giving his support. 

 

Last but not least was Act 2 of Highland Fling, one of Sir Matthew Bourne’s earlier works which I remember seeing with the fabulous Will Kemp. The plot is based loosely on La Sylphide by Petipa, with music by Herman Lovenskiold. 

It's set in Scotland and in the opening scene we find an inebriated James (Xholindi Muci ...definitely one to watch!) sprawled by some rubbish bins, who suddenly realises he is in a forest...an enchanted wood where sylphs flitter and flutter around, not quite visible to James, though he half senses their presence. The Sylph, beautifully danced by Risa Maki, is in love with James in a pure, simple way...yet when James tries to embrace her, she has always slipped through his arms.  

 

I won't give away the denouement, however the students really had this work within their hearts and gave a fantastic performance.  

 

After the show a presentation was made to the departing Artistic Director which almost became a ‘Chris Marney..This Is Your Life !’   

Chris then had a chance to say how much Central Ballet School means to him, describing his connection with the school. We all wish Chris well, and also the graduate students who were so impressive in their show.  

 

Congratulations to all! 

 

 

Edited July 23, 2021 by Mandy Kent
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[Jan McNulty]

Wonderful review, thank you Mandy!