Archive for May 17th, 2008
To conincide with the Exeter Northcott Dance Festival, Dance in Devon and the theatre have worked with young dancers to review some of the best dance that’s on. The Dance Festival continues tonight (May 17) with Phoenix Dance
Tango: Nuevo at the Exeter Northcott review by Lucie Tullett
On 9 May, Tango Siempre presented Tango: Nuevo, a breathtaking journey into the heart of Tango Argentino and beyond, featuring stunning virtuoso displays of traditional tango and groundbreaking contemporary tango music and dance.
With live music from the acclaimed tango ensemble Tango Siempre, Tango: Nuevo was the second part of the Exeter Northcott’s Dance Festival which kicked off last week. Once again the performance was enjoyed by what was nearing a full house, as the onstage band performed contemporary salsa music while four Latin American-born Tango dancers performed elaborate and sensual tango duets.
Although the evening was advertised as a dance event, the it was centered around the onstage band. As the audience was seated, the atmosphere was a little too formal. It felt as though the live music did not fair so well in the theatre setting, and at times the pieces of music felt too long, to the point of seeming self-indulgent of the Tango Siempre Quintet.
Although shows like Strictly Come Dancing have played their part in popularizing dance in general – making it more mainstream and encouraging more people to hold and attend classes – it was interesting to have an insight into some authentic Argentinean culture. Contemporary choreographic techniques were used to make the Tango dance style more accessible and watchable on stage.
The Exeter Northcott’s Dance Festival continues this week.
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May 17th, 2008
To conincide with the Exeter Northcott Dance Festival, Dance in Devon and the theatre have worked with young dancers to review some of the best dance that’s on. The Dance Festival continues tonight (May 17) with Phoenix Dance
Birmingham Royal Ballet at the Exeter Northcott by Lucie Tullett
The newly refurbished Exeter Northcott kicked off its dance festival last Wednesday (May 6), with Birmingham Royal Ballet’s matinée performance as the opening show. Three ballets spanning the last 70 years of the company’s repertoire showcased works from two of the outstanding British choreographers of the last century. Pieces by Frederick Ashton, the company’s founder choreographer, and his successor Kenneth MacMillan, were shown alongside a new ballet by company dancer Kit Holder. All of these pieces were in the traditional ballet style, with recognizable traditional ballet steps, and it was heavily dependent on the live accompaniment.
This is in contrast to companies such as Rambert Dance Company (formerly Ballet Rambert). Having now expanded by working with contemporary choreographers, they have left behind what would be recognised as classic ballet and explored the capabilities of the human body for creative expression.
Birmingham Royal Ballet, on the other hand, keep up old traditions by maintaining their repertoire, and it still gets the audiences in. Nearly every seat of the Exeter Northcott auditorium was filled by a wide range of ages, from pensioners to groups of school children, and what appeared to be a few terrifying looking ballet teachers.
The Dance Festival continued with performances by ACE Dance and Music, and Phoenix Dance Theatre
picture: Artists of Birmingham Royal Ballet; photo: Brian Slater
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May 17th, 2008
posted by Cptn
The Surreal Saloon people, Josephine Larsen and Belinda Harris-Reid – are calling on all the talented people in Devon to join in their new high-speed competition.
The first event kicks off on Saturday June 14 at the Exeter Phoenix, and these on-going monthly dos will build towards an awards night in December. It’s open to all ages and all talents.
To find out more, or to put yourself up as a guest for the Surreal Saloon live chat show, contact Josephine Larsen on josephine@surrealsaloon.co.uk or Belinda on belinda@surrealsaloon.co.uk
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May 17th, 2008
