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An awesome and ridiculous film that leaves you thrilled beyond the point of your natural endurance
2012
Theatre
The show has suddenly become quite wonderful, and the galvanising factor is the terrific stage debut of Melanie C
Blood Brothers
Music
The British pop music industry may be eating itself but if Muse are the pick of what it can offer the world in 2010 then British music is in rude health indeed
Muse
I was smitten by both Gilberts enormous luxuriant moustache and the intelligence and nuance of this highly entertaining play
I totally recommend Babbo to anyone who is looking for really good and traditional Italian food
Always been a fan but never seen them live. I was ecstatic to be part of this epic event. WOW!
London,
Sarah Frater's rating
Reader rating
Description: Royston Maldoom choreographs this large-scale dance work set to Shostakovich's 10th Symphony, exploring the composer's relationship with the old USSR. Performed by 120 young pople from across the capital, accompanied by the London Symphony Orchestra.
Trains: Tube: High Street Kensington 
, Tube / Bus: 9, 10, 52, 360 
Phone: 0207589 8212
Website: www.royalalberthall.com
Extra info: Food, Pub
Aiming high: the scale of Royston Maldoom's ambition is extraordinary
If you were planning a community-dance project for 120 children from ordinary London schools, you probably wouldn’t suggest the Royal Albert Hall nor Shostakovich’s 10th Symphony. Tinkly-winkly Tchaikovsky, perhaps, or the hip-hop latest, but the 10th? Nor would you ask children to evoke the composer’s life, nor the bleak Soviet era when millions went to the gulags.
Yet choreographer Royston Maldoom has assembled a group of eight to 16-year-olds (as opposed to stage school semi-professionals) to do just this. The scale of Maldoom’s ambition is extraordinary and it’s matched only by the children’s success.
Their understanding and stage presence was assured, with not a step forgotten — no mean feat with the 50‑minute 10th Symphony. Indeed, Overture 2012 was better than many professional ballets I’ve seen at the Royal Albert Hall, not only in terms of filling the difficult space but also in its authenticity and directness.
The performance is in the style of a “movement choir”. The multi-culti, mixed-ability children danced in loosely synchronised waves and eddies, then lines, chevrons and circles, and then formed groups to evoke protests and parades that reminded you of Antony Gormley’s Field. Two older boys played Shostakovich and Stalin, with the group cowering and then cheering at the dictator’s death.
The London Symphony Orchestra was rather upstaged by the children who left you marveling at what can be done when you aim high.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
i was in this dance and it has been a great opputunity to meet new friends and people rooyston is a great person and nice working with him and all off the volunteers and espesially max and stewert i love the dance and wuold like to do it again thiss is great!!!!!!
- Ayo Olufowobi, london
I agree wholeheartedly with your reviewer. This was not just a 'feelgood' experience for the audience but a 'wow! it's great to be alive!' affair. WHY WAS THE ALBERT HALL NOT PACKED OUT? If this is what London's annual Dance Umbrella festival can produce, it ought to last all year not just one month. Thank you, Dance Umbrella. Thank you, Royston Maldoom. Thank you, London Symphony Orchestra and Francois-Xavier Roth. Wake up, London! This was ADVENTURE and involved 120 children/young people from 32 London boroughs. Where was the local press? I am told that it was life-changing for the kids. What I hadn't anticipated was that it would be so, so humbling for those privileged enough to watch and witness one of the two performances. Where were the 'movers and shakers', the celebrities, our Royal Family, the government ministers? A case of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts. This was a 'community performance' and ought to be advertised on tubes and buses and in libraries, not kept as exclusive news for those people already in touch with The Arts. We're told there's to be a DVD. So pleased this experience won't be lost to those unfortunate enough not to have seen 'Overture 2012/Power and Passion', live. Wonderful stuff!
- Awestruck Of Clapham, London, England
