The Stage

In Good Company

Published Monday 22 May 2006 at 15:25 by Gavin Roebuck

The Royal Ballet’s founder, Ninette de Valois, had a profound impact on ballet internationally - dancers who learnt their craft under her direction went on to establish companies all over the world. In celebration of her global legacy and marking the 75th anniversary of The Royal Ballet, ROH2 invited four companies in whose history Madam - as Dame Ninette was known - was involved, to present new work. This is in line with Madam’s belief that the future of dance lay in new choreography.

Each section of the well presented programme opened with a film montage and commentary about the company concerned from its director. The first two items were from one of the newest recruits to the Royal Ballet, Liam Scarlett. His duet Despite showed great choreographic promise and was superbly danced by Edward Watson and Leanne Benjamin in well designed costumes by Johannes Stepanek. Silent Vision by Jonathan Watkins was performed by Zenaida Yanowsky as a silent movie star against typical music from that genre played by Al Webber.

The National Ballet of Canada presented C.V. by Matjash Mrozewski that was choreographically disappointing though ably performed by four dancers. Birmingham Royal Ballet presented Conversations by Kit Holder, an intense duet with Virginia de Gersigny partnered by Joseph Caley who showed his ability to turn. The Australian Ballet brought Unspoken Dialogues by Stephen Baynes well danced by Annabel Bronner Reid and Steven Heathcote. Interesting to see new work though none was really innovative.