Weather Tonight: 9°c Light showers Morning: 14°c Overcast

Five of the Best...Shows
  1. The Kreutzer Sonata
  2. The Rise And Fall Of Little Voice
  3. Endgame
  4. Annie Get Your Gun
  5. Bedroom Farce

Critics' Choice

Film

Andrew O'Hagan

quoteNew Moon is nothing if not an international advertisement for the hungry virtues of virginity and young people can’t get enough of itquote

Andrew O'Hagan The Twilight Saga: New Moon Theatre

Henry Hitchings

quoteA smart, prickly and rewarding view of sexual and emotional confusionquote

Henry Hitchings Cock Restaurants

David Sexton

quoteKitchen W8 is a bargain for this area, if such sophistication is what you crave quote

David Sexton Kitchen W8

Reader reviews

Film

Adam, Harrow

quoteToo long and drawn out but very entertaining with excellent special effectsquote

2012 Theatre

Rob, London

quoteThis is a peculiar play and does not work for me. Some of it is very funny but there are real flawsquote

The Habit Of Art Music

Bernard, London

quoteAlex has a strong powerful voice and was faultless, she is far better now than she was on the X-Factorquote

Alexandra Burke

Theatre & comedy reviews London,

The Royal Ballet: Mixed Programme (Voluntaries/The Lesson/New Wayne McGregor Work)

Your rating
one startwo starthree starfour starfive star
Click on a star to rate
Royal Opera House
Floral Street, WC2E 9DD

Evening Standard rating Sarah Frater's rating
Evening Standard rating Reader rating
 Add your review

Dir: Monica Mason.
Cast: The Royal Ballet


Description: Flemming Flindt's interpretation of Eugene Ionesco's The Lesson is performed along with Glen Tetley's Voluntaries, and a new work by resident choreographer Wayne McGregor.


Trains: Tube: Covent Garden Overground network

Phone: 0207304 4000
Website: www.roh.org.uk
Email: onlinebooking@roh.org.uk

Extra info: Air Conditioning, Food

 
Please wait the page is loading extra content
  • Show details
  • Hide details
  • Book Online
  • Show map
Close X

Directions

 

Ballet in the rough

By Sarah Frater, Evening Standard  14.11.08
 
Roayl Ballet

Tip-top dancers: Eric Underwood and Melissa Hamilton in Infra

Watching The Royal Ballet dance Wayne McGregor is like stroking a cat the wrong way. The dancers are usually flattered by steps that refine their form but McGregor roughs up their elegant harmonies, something that snagged him the job of the Royal’s resident choreographer after the success of his Chroma in 2006.

That was lush by McGregor’s acerbic standards, with votive-candle-like lighting and cathedral-like space. Joby Talbot’s Bond-glamorous compositions augmented its velvety plush. A double gear change then to his new Infra, with a set like iron filings and police camera lighting.

Unlike Chroma where the dancers are anonymous, Infra’s six pairs are conspicuously couples, most unhappy. This works less well, as McGregor’s extreme articulations and juddering disjunctures are a limited means of revealing character. The “crowd” scene is best not mentioned.

This is not helped by Julie Opie’s installation. The stage-wide, high-up band of dot-matrix panels display promenading urbanites in roundy stick form, like the diagrammatic figures on the Tube’s “priority seat” signs. This is slim pickings by Opera House standards, a visual jingle that McGregor is way above.

The other problem is that his series of duets don’t feel like a fully-formed ballet, although the dancers are tip-top (the BBC was filming for a special broadcast this month and we all know how cameras magic up standards).

No need for the occult in The Lesson, Flemming Flindt’s unnerving ballet about a dance teacher who murders his pretty young pupils. Yohan Kobborg is losing the technique we all raved about but his acting knocks spots. His eyes alone convey the teacher’s prurient pleasure and knotted guilt.

A perky Roberta Marquez and unrecognisable Laura Morera complete the desperate trio.

Quick mention of young heart-throb Sergei Polunin in Glen Tetley’s punishing Voluntaries whose mood the Royal didn’t quite catch. Also, the potential partnership of Marianela Nuñez and Rupert Pennefather. The pair are visually well matched (same colouring, same musculature), only he needs work. Some of his lifts were fluffed and his steps unfinished.

In rep until 26 November. Information: 020 7304 4000, www.roh.

Related articles


Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.

 

Reader reviews (0)

 Add your review

No comments have so far been submitted.


Add your comment

 

Your email address will not be published

Terms and conditions make text area bigger You have  characters left.


 
 


 
 
London's Weather
Tonight
Light showers
9°c
Morning
Overcast
14°c
5 day forecast
 
 

Daily Mail Mail on Sunday Travel Mail This is Money Metro

Loot | Jobsite | Homes & property | London jobs | FindaProperty.com | Primelocation.com | Educate London | Holiday Villas