The Sleeping Beauty, Royal Opera House, review: 'Still reaching for the ballet’s full resonance'

2 months ago

Frieda Hughes: The lurid reality of an ‘adults only’ pantomime

THE NAUGHTY PANTOMIME It was adults only at The Kenton in Henley-on-Thames: Halfway through Sleeping With Beauty a pale and ghostly Seven-foot inflated phallus stepped onto the stage, Air-filled testicles bouncing against the footsteps of its inner man As he was followed by two more, the balls of one deflating And dragging on the floor, to the hysterical observations Of …

6 months, 2 weeks ago

London City Ballet, Resurgence review: A polished return after 30 years – now time to find the fire

The Independent

It’s one thing for a dancer to come out of retirement, but something else to see a whole company spring back into the spotlight. Revived after 30 years, London City Ballet made a polished comeback. First time around, London City Ballet was a valiant small touring company, reaching parts of the UK that bigger troupes missed. open image in gallery …

Ballet Polish London City Ballet

7 months ago

Henry Purcell’s The Fairy Queen

ABC

Following runs in New York and Paris, Mourad Merzouki’s captivating and critically acclaimed staging of Purcell’s The Fairy Queen makes its way to this year’s BBC Proms. Merzouki’s dancers from his Compagnie Käfig and singers take to the stage in what looks like a uniform – black suits with white shirts in the first half, and coloured shirts in the …

Chinese Trip Come Purcell Fairy Chorus Compagnie Käfig

9 months, 3 weeks ago

Sleep No More closing: How Punchdrunk’s show changed theater in New York, for better and for worse.

Slate

I was 22 the first time I went to the McKittrick Hotel. Every line of Macbeth, Punchdrunk’s leadership was fond of saying, could be found somewhere in the McKittrick: translated into a flock of dead birds in the Macduffs’ apartments, a hidden letter in an antique drawer, a secret room in the asylum where Lady Macbeth performs, wordlessly, a version …

Social Media Theater Social Sleep New York Audience Members

9 months, 3 weeks ago

Carlos Acosta: ‘It’s hard to talk about weight in ballet’

The Independent

Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. His 2023 heavy metal ballet Black Sabbath, with the Birmingham Royal Ballet, was a sell-out …

Dance London Royal World School Black Ballet

9 months, 3 weeks ago

Royal Ballet’s Ashton Celebrated review: A loving tribute to the company’s founder choreographer

The Independent

There’s a lot of love in The Royal Ballet’s celebration of Frederick Ashton, its founder choreographer. With a misty park setting and full, romantic skirts, Jasper Conran’s new designs nod to William Chappell’s 1933 originals. open image in gallery Nadia Mullova-Barley as part of the Artists of The Royal Ballet in ‘Les Rendezvous’ Rhapsody, created in 1980, is a showcase …

Ballet

11 months ago

Royal Opera House announces major name change and promising new season

The Independent

Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Royal Opera House has announced a major name change to …

Arts Royal Ballet Opera Season Covent Garden Royal Opera House

1 year ago

Carmen review: Unusually aware of its own stark violence, this ballet has a welcome edge

The Independent

English National Ballet’s new Carmen is stark and sleek, with some tough questions alongside the red-frilled dress and crimson lipstick. open image in gallery Minju Kang as Carmen, Erik Woolhouse as Torero and Rentaro Nakaaki as Don José in Johan Inger’s ‘Carmen’ He underlines it with clunkier narrative devices: black-masked shadows intervene in the action, while the story is watched …

José Carmen Inger

1 year, 5 months ago

How Kitty Green’s ‘The Royal Hotel’ refuses to play by the rules of horror

LA Times

Two young women with backpacks make their way down a deserted road toward a remote pub in the Australian outback, where they have been contracted to work for a few weeks. I’ve heard you mention “Wake in Fright” as an obvious touchstone for “Royal Hotel.” Is there a canon of outback movies you were drawing from? It’s like “Wolf Creek” …

Film Royal Women Behavior Green Movie New York

1 year, 7 months ago

The Australian Ballet: 60th Anniversary Celebration review: An assured and versatile show

The Independent

Marking 60 years of the Australian Ballet, this gala performance focuses very much on the here and now. In a speech, new director David Hallberg acknowledged the company’s historic links with Britain’s Royal Ballet – but this programme stresses more recent work. There’s a strong New York influence, reflecting Hallberg’s time as a star of American Ballet Theatre. Created for …

Ballet

1 year, 8 months ago

How opera can be 'open to everyone'

BBC

Antonio Pappano: How opera can be 'open to everyone' Getty Images Is the world of opera becoming more inclusive? While he asserts that the ROH, like every big opera house, wants to entice young audiences, he does concede: "I think you have to be honest and say, yes, but younger people can't afford very expensive tickets, can they?" Royal Opera …

Music Young Opera Young People Open Getty Images Bbc

1 year, 9 months ago

50 shades of ballet? Melanie Hamrick on her steamy novel that makes 'Black Swan' seem tame

The Independent

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “First Position” is what they call a romance novel …

World Ballet Novel Mick Hamrick Black Swan

2 years ago

Review: A dazzlingly danced ‘Like Water for Chocolate’ proves story ballet is bigger than ever

LA Times

In the aftermath of World War II, in a changed world, story ballet seemed to have little future as a credible art form in which a narrative evening-length ballet could be created to a lasting new score. Prokofiev’s “Cinderella,” which had its premiere in November 1945 at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, was the last new major story ballet to …

Dance Water Ballet Chocolate Score Mexican Elena

2 years ago

Coppelia review, Sadler’s Wells: A sharp, smart take on a classic from Scottish Ballet

The Independent

Scottish Ballet’s sharp, smart Coppélia swaps clockwork dolls for artificial intelligence. Created in 2022, and already a hit at the Edinburgh Festival, Morgann Runacre-Temple and Jessica Wright’s production is a punchy update of the 19th-century ballet classic. Jean-Claude Picard conducts the Scottish Ballet Orchestra – but again, there’s a blurred line between what’s live and what’s recorded. open image in …

Ballet Wright Scottish Coppélia Devernay Scottish Ballet Swanilda

2 years ago

Woolf Works review, Royal Opera House: A layered, haunting ballet

The Independent

In Wayne McGregor’s Woolf Works, Virginia Woolf’s life and her subjects overlap, sharing the same space. We hear Gillian Anderson reading Woolf’s suicide note, as Ravi Deepres’s film shows a sequence of waves, hypnotically slowed. Ferri’s Woolf watches children dancing on the beach, or moves among a rippling corps de ballet of dancers. ‘Woolf Works’ runs at the Royal Opera …

Ballet Act Woolf Ferri Woolf Works

2 years, 1 month ago

Phantom of the Opera ‘phans’ can stay overnight in a box at Paris’s Palais Garnier opera house

The Independent

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Airbnb is offering a limited edition set of overnight stays in the palatial Palais Garnier opera house, in the centre …

Opera House Paris Night Novel Stay Phantom

2 years, 1 month ago

14 fun, romantic and artsy ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day this week and next

LA Times

An intimate dance performance, a Shakespeare rom-com, a sexpert and a stylish romantic drama make our list of Valentine’s happenings around SoCal. Two California Plaza, 350 S. Grand Ave., 28th Floor, downtown L.A. 8 p.m. Feb. 10, 14, 17, 24; 5 and 8 p.m. Feb. 11, 18, 25; 2 and 5 p.m. Feb 12, 19, 26. acbdances.com ‘Valentines With the …

Dance Hollywood Grand Valentine Roman Pasadena Feb

2 years, 5 months ago

Representation and diversity is where ‘magic’ lies for the future of opera

The Independent

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “My contention is if you are Ms Buchanan started singing as a young girl …

London Opera Think Buchanan George Floyd Ms Buchanan

2 years, 5 months ago

Mayerling review: A rich revival of MacMillan’s ballet of doomed obsession

The Independent

Kenneth MacMillan’s Mayerling is a ballet of doomed obsession. This Royal Ballet revival marks 30 years since MacMillan’s death and pays powerful tribute to one of its defining choreographers. She and Natalia Osipova are extraordinary in the scene where she tells Mary’s fortune, grooming her to be Rudolf’s next lover. In her scenes with Rudolf, Osipova’s Mary is primed with …

Mary Macmillan Rudolf Osipova

2 years, 6 months ago

Royal Opera House defends ‘whitewashing’ Madama Butterfly

The Telegraph

The Royal Opera House has been accused of “whitewashing” Madama Butterfly, despite investing in making its production culturally sensitive. The venue in Covent Garden embarked on a year-long consultation to ensure that Puccini’s 1904 opera, concerning a Japanese geisha exploited by an American officer, was as inoffensive and non-stereotyping as possible. It said in a statement: “Casting a white actor …

Japan

2 years, 8 months ago

Exploring the relationship between music and ballet

ABC

SUBJECTS: Arts YEARS: 7–8, 9–10 The music of The Nutcracker was written by a Russian composer called Tchaikovsky. Listen as Queensland Ballet's Music Director and Principal Conductor Andrew Mogrelia describes how the music communicates the story of The Nutcracker. Production Date: 9 Dec 2014 Copyright Metadata © Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Education Services Australia Ltd 2012. Digital content © Australian …

Music Australia

2 years, 9 months ago

Review: How well does opera represent reality? LBO and L.A. Opera take differing approaches

LA Times

Renée Fleming and Rod Gilfry in L.A. Opera’s presentation of the song cycle “The Brightness of Light” by Kevin Puts, chronicling the romance of iconic artist Georgia O’Keeffe and her mentor-turned-husband, Alfred Stieglitz. In stark contrast that same evening at a high school in north Long Beach, LBO mounted Anthony Davis’ anti-cinematic, feel-bad masterpiece “The Central Park Five.” “The Brightness …

Light Opera Season Central Brightness Davis Park

2 years, 9 months ago

Madama Butterfly review, Royal Opera House: A blisteringly poignant revival of Puccini’s tragic drama

The Independent

Nobody could accuse Covent Garden of backwardness in virtue-signalling. The Royal Opera’s 20-year-old Leiser-Caurier production of Madama Butterfly had been scheduled for the chop, due to its alleged peddling of sexual exploitation, racial stereotyping and suicide. One could argue that this opera is actually an indictment of racism: Puccini’s passionate music makes no apology for Pinkerton’s breezy casualness over the …

Opera Japanese Covent Garden Stereotyping Haroutounian Madama Butterfly

2 years, 10 months ago

Love, death and opera: Why Diva still seduces

Live Mint

Seven years ago, I watched Leos Carax’s Mauvais Sang for the first time at Deepak Cinema in Mumbai. There’s a prostitution ring and a murdered sex worker, a pair of assassins, another pair of Taiwanese blackmailers, and an assortment of detectives after two tapes, one a recording of Cynthia, the other with evidence related to the murder—both of which end …

Film Jules Cynthia Mauvais Sang Beineix

2 years, 10 months ago

Six picks for your weekend: ‘Fancy Nancy,’ ‘Sleeping Beauty,’ a ‘Top Gun’ spoof and more

LA Times

The musical “Fancy Nancy,” Los Angeles Ballet’s “The Sleeping Beauty” and the 1946 drama “The Best Years of Our Lives” make our list of cultural offerings this Memorial Day weekend. ‘The Sleeping Beauty’ Los Angeles Ballet launches a locally touring production of the Tchaikovsky favorite based on the classic fairytale. Also in Westwood, June 3 and 4, and Glendale, June …

Hollywood Fancy Nancy

3 years ago

Scottish Ballet using intimacy coaches to prepare for violent and erotic scenes

The Independent

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Scotland’s national ballet company has started using intimacy coaches for …

Ballet Scottish Ballet Intimacy Coaches Mayerling

3 years ago

Swan Lake review, Royal Opera House: The Swan Queen and Prince trade bright chemistry as well as dazzling turns

The Independent

The Royal Ballet’s Swan Lake makes a confident return to the stage despite the disruptions of Covid-19. As Odile, the heroine’s wicked double, she adds a sharp edge to her dancing – but still keeps that expansiveness, a hint of Odette that makes the deception more plausible. In the Black Swan duet, he and Naghdi trade bright chemistry as well …

Lake Scarlett Swan Opera House Odette Swan Lake Prince Naghdi

3 years, 5 months ago

Romeo and Juliet review, The Royal Ballet: Francesca Hayward is luminous in this loving revival

The Independent

After a careful summer, The Royal Ballet reopens its post-lockdown season with the packed stage of Romeo and Juliet. Led by Francesca Hayward’s luminous Juliet, this is a first night of high energy and drama. MacMillan’s marketplace scenes can lag, but this revival makes the feuding and fight scenes feel newly minted. Hayward’s Juliet has a desperate moment of denial, …

Scene Romeo Hayward Macmillan Juliet Royal Ballet Ballet Francesca

3 years, 7 months ago

New faces, new ambitions as opera houses reopen

The Independent

Get Nadine White's Race Report newsletter for a fresh perspective on the week's news Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “My mission is not only to be a good musician in the …

Director Work San Francisco Opera Kim Audiences Season Sept

3 years, 8 months ago

After months of virtual rehearsals, Royal Ballet students all set to present their first live performance post pandemic lockdowns

Firstpost

Students at the Royal Ballet School, having fled to homes around the world for months of virtual training, are reuniting for their annual showcase. By Ginanne Brownell When students at the Royal Ballet School scattered to their homes around the globe during the first British lockdown last spring, classes went virtual and, at first, proved quite tricky. This year’s showcase, …

Students School Teachers Ballet Work Royal Opera House Royal Ballet

3 years, 9 months ago

The Royal Ballet review, Beauty Mixed Programme, Royal Opera House: Assured re-stitching transcends Covid struggles

The Independent

Covid-19 sent last-minute changes rippling through The Royal Ballet’s new mixed bill. Though Jean-Marc Puissant’s costumes nod to contemporary streetwear, the steps remain neatly conventional: ballet people doing ballet things. Wayne McGregor’s Morgen is set to a Richard Strauss song, sung with rich vocal tone by Sarah-Jane Lewis. The steps are all squared elbows and seething inner drama: there’s something …

3 years, 9 months ago

Review: L.A. Opera is first in the U.S. to return to its home stage. Emotions flow

LA Times

The Music Center opened its doors to the public Sunday afternoon for the first time in nearly 15 months. There is further striking context to this “Oedipus Rex,” whether or not intentional on L.A. Opera’s part. Esa-Pekka Salonen’s first concert with the L.A. Phil after being named music director was a staging of Stravinsky’s work in the Chandler in collaboration …

Music Pandemic Opera Thomas Chandler Music Director Oedipus

3 years, 9 months ago

Royal Ballet’s Balanchine and Robbins celebration is fresh and uplifting – review

The Independent

The Royal Ballet’s celebration of American classics makes a fresh and uplifting night of dance. Danced to a crisp Stravinsky score, it’s a ballet of taut classicism, with sharp edges that still look modern. Balanchine’s Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux is a gala showstopper, mixing airy detail and bravura technique. Jerome Robbins’ Dances at a Gathering puts ten dancers on stage, …

Robbins Uplifting Review

3 years, 9 months ago

The Friday List: From a podcast on masculinity to a workshop on interpreting mutations, your weekly calendar of virtual events

Firstpost

Compiled by Aishwarya Sahasrabudhe In many states, quasi-lockdowns and travel restrictions are being lifted slowly and steadily but the chaos of the second wave of COVID-19 is leaving behind immense tragedy and insurmountable losses. To know more and register, When: 4 June — Virtual poetry reading This Saturday, as part of Prakriti Foundation’s initiative, Poetry with Prakriti, Alvin Pang will …

Film Indian Work End List Know Workshop

4 years, 2 months ago

Paris Opera tackles race clichés in repertoire

Live Mint

Has the rarefied world of French ballet come under the sway of American-style "cancel culture?" The director of Paris Opera, home also to France's top ballet company, has been accused of political correctness "gone mad" for appearing to suggest he will no longer stage classical ballets that perpetuate racial stereotypes. "Some works will no doubt disappear from the repertoire," Alexander …

Ballet Opera French Paris Paris Opera Neef La Bayadere

4 years, 2 months ago

Paris Opera tackles race clichés in repertoire

Live Mint

Has the rarefied world of French ballet come under the sway of American-style "cancel culture?" The director of Paris Opera, home also to France's top ballet company, has been accused of political correctness "gone mad" for appearing to suggest he will no longer stage classical ballets that perpetuate racial stereotypes. "Some works will no doubt disappear from the repertoire," Alexander …

Ballet Opera French Paris Paris Opera Neef La Bayadere

4 years, 3 months ago

A night at the ballet, in time for ‘Nutcracker’ season

Associated Press

Of all the artists whose livelihoods have been devastated by the coronavirus pandemic, dancers have been among those hit hardest. The event, filmed in a small New York theater, will treat ballet-starved fans to performances by dancers from America’s top companies in excerpts of classical ballets like “Romeo and Juliet, “The Nutcracker” and “Don Quixote,” as well as contemporary gems …

Europe World Ballet Work New York Going Dancers

4 years, 3 months ago

A night at the ballet, in time for ‘Nutcracker’ season

The Independent

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. She made a video in June featuring Royal Ballet …

Europe World Ballet Work New York Audience Going

4 years, 9 months ago

Royal Ballet performs to Rolling Stones’ Living In A Ghost Town on empty streets in London

Hindustan Times

Dancers from Britain’s Royal Ballet have made a short film in which they perform in London’s deserted streets to the sounds of The Rolling Stones, a project designed to highlight the plight of the arts during the global coronavirus pandemic. Royal Ballet dancer Tierney Heap performs in a street in St Albans, north London, Britain June 2020. Soloists William Bracewell …

London Rolling Stones Royal Ballet

5 years, 2 months ago

Opera For Newbies: Busting Myths And Belting High Notes

NPR

Opera For Newbies: Busting Myths And Belting High Notes Enlarge this image toggle caption Maria Baranova/Beth Morrison Projects Maria Baranova/Beth Morrison Projects We've been starting this new year off with genres of music you might not listen to, or that you say you're not a fan of — so far, we've covered jazz, country and deep house. For one thing, …

Music Love Opera

5 years, 2 months ago

This Guy Proposed By Having Girlfriend Animated Into 'Sleeping Beauty'

Huff Post

This viral Disney-inspired proposal and its fairytale ending are capturing hearts across the internet. Filmmaker Lee Loechler proposed to his high school sweetheart, Sthuthi David, by having the couple animated into one of the final scenes from “Sleeping Beauty,” David’s favorite movie. He then created a fake email advertising a showing of “Sleeping Beauty” at the local movie theater, which …

Proposal Disney David Coombs Sleeping Beauty Loechler

5 years, 4 months ago

The Magic Flute, Royal Opera House review: an ideal if imperfect Christmas prelude

The Independent

Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. It has just brought back David McVicar’s production of Die Zauberflöte for its seventh revival, …

Indyarts

5 years, 5 months ago

The Royal Ballet review: A sunlit and sparkling triple bill with a touch of autumnal warmth

The Independent

Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Royal Ballet’s new triple bill is sunlit and sparkling, with …

Sign Indyarts Raymonda Ballet Review

5 years, 5 months ago

How ballet has inspired fashion

BBC

How ballet has inspired fashion Once considered an ‘immoral’ figure, the ballerina has since become the epitome of elegance and refinement – and a significant style muse. The re-staging of The Sleeping Beauty in 1921 was the major turning point in fashion’s relationship with ballet Jasper Abels A ballet-inspired look by Schiaparelli haute couture, spring/summer 2019 That ballet was elevated …

Fashion Relationship Credit Ballet New York Look Gown

5 years, 6 months ago

Royal Opera House’s Covent Garden revivals review: Don Giovanni and Werther

The Independent

Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Don Giovanni ★★★★☆ Werther ★★☆☆☆ Playing safe before the fireworks of …

Scene Giovanni Werther Covent Garden Don Giovanni Indyarts Donna Anna

5 years, 8 months ago

Bolshoi Ballet, Royal Opera House, review: Spartacus production is blockbusting business as usual for the celebrated Moscow company

The Independent

Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Bolshoi Ballet opened its London summer season with Spartacus, which …

Ballet Roman Bolshoi Spartacus Indyarts

5 years, 9 months ago

Birmingham Royal Ballet, (Un)leashed, Sadler’s Wells, review: Laura Day is a pugnacious female Peter in urban take on Peter and the Wolf

The Independent

Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Didy Veldman’s new Sense of Time lacks focus, but the dancers highlight the delicacy of …

Ballet Wolf Peter Brill Free Indyarts

5 years, 9 months ago

Boris Godunov review, Royal Opera House: A magnificent and quintessentially Russian rendering

The Independent

Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The events which follow – lasting 130 minutes without an interval – chronicle the Tsar’s …

Boris Indyarts Russian Rendering

The Sleeping Beauty, Royal Opera House, review: 'Still reaching for the ballet’s full resonance'

History of this topic

The Sleeping Beauty review: The Royal Ballet’s revival comes up stronger than before

The Royal Ballet review, Royal Opera House: The company returns with a wave of love

The Sleeping Beauty, London Coliseum, review: Has a gleaming performance from Alina Cojocaru at its heart

Giselle, Royal Opera House, London, review: A glowing performance by Marianela Nunez

The Nutcracker, Royal Opera House, London, review: Francesca Hayward is lovely as Clara

Elizabeth, Linbury Studio Theatre, Royal Opera House, review: Combines so many things it has little room to breathe

Carmen, Royal Opera House, review: A clunky ending to a sleek mixed bill

Dance review: The Bolshoi's Sleeping Beauty is an opulent yet superficial affair

Royal Ballet, Royal Opera House, London

Dance: Symmetries funereal, not fearful

Dance: Glimpses of strangers

Arts: Two faces of the House

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