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 An
Evening of British Ballet
Artists
of the Royal Ballet
by Cassandra
July 28 and 29, 2004
-- Orchard Theatre, Dartford
The two performances by artists
of the Royal Ballet at the Orchard Theatre Dartford have been quite amazingly
successful. On Wednesday night the theatre was close to full, and last
night it was quite simply packed. The audience was a satisfying mix of
local theatre-goers and London ballet fans lured to this friendly Kent
theatre by the prospect of an imaginative programme of works organized
by former RB principal Bruce Sansom.
I have to say that the high level of performance reminded me of the Danses
Concertantes group of dancers from New York City Ballet that appeared
at Sadler’s Wells a couple of years ago. They also presented just ten
dancers in a similarly rewarding evening of carefully selected works,
proving just how satisfying an evening of “chamber ballet” can be. Sansom
is certainly adept at putting together a varied programme by British choreographers;
with works ranging from William Tuckett’s Celtic ho-down, “Puirt-a-Beul,”
to Ashton’s masterpiece “Symphonic Variations.”
The company was led by principals Alina Cojocaru and Johan Kobborg together
with a well-chosen group of artists and soloists, most of whom were performing
their roles for the first time. Special mention should be made of Edward
Watson, who actually hails from Dartford and whose appearances (in no
fewer than four of the items) could be described as a triumphal homecoming.
After the second performance a special reception was held in honour of
the occasion, and among the guests were RB director Monica Mason, Lady
MacMillan and Wayne McGregor. As Edward Watson is probably the most celebrated
former Dartford citizen since Mick Jagger, he was given a special present
to mark the occasion by Council Leader Kenneth Leadbeater, much to the
amusement of his RB colleagues.
Incidentally it was due to the initiative of Councillor Leadbeater that
these performances took place at the Orchard, and hopefully this visit
by the RB artists will put this excellent theatre on the map as a first
rate and highly accessible venue for dance.
Edited by Lori Ibay
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