10 to see in 2003

Wednesday December 18, 2002
The Guardian

George Piper Dances Critics' Choice
The Ballet Boyz present six short pieces choreographed for them by the world's greats, including William Forsythe, Matthew Bourne and Christopher Wheeldon.
· Queen Elizabeth Hall, London SE1 (020-7960 4242), from March 25.

Live Culture
Choreographers ranging from Lloyd Newson (DV8) to La Ribot take on the daunting interior of Tate Modern.

· Tate Modern, London SE1 (020-7887 8000), from March 27.

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<small>[ 20 December 2003, 06:00 AM: Message edited by: Stuart Sweeney ]</small>

Yippee! It's 2003: Dance
By David Dougill for The Times


Rudolph Nureyev died 10 years ago tomorrow. One of the most charismatic dancers of modern times and a theatrical legend, he enjoyed a prolific career, celebrated throughout this month with a season of his films and documentaries at the National Film Theatre. At the Royal Ballet, there will be performances in April of a tribute programme of works associated with him, including Balanchine’s Apollo and Nureyev’s own, handsome production of Raymonda Act III.
A new staging of The Sleeping Beauty, the RB’s “signature” classic, premieres in March. Natalia Makarova was commissioned to produce it by the departed director Ross Stretton; it should prove to be one of his good moves. The word is that this Beauty will be traditional and luxurious, so the designer Luisa Spinatelli, whose painted gauzes and ravishing costumes made such a feast for Paquita in Paris, is likely to provide another delectable treat.

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All the best for the new year: choices 1-25
from The Observer. And at no.15:

15 GEORGE PIPER DANCES

The modern ballet ensemble founded by ex-Royal Ballet Boyz Michael Nunn and William Trevitt - called after their middle names - has been going from strength to strength. Their risky venture has drawn audiences all over Britain. They've carried on filming their video diaries, first shown on Channel 4, framing their programmes with in-your-face shots of themselves backstage. Their latest venture is a 45-minute compilation of pieces made for them by different choreographers.

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and

35 THE LABAN CENTRE

Despite the unlikely setting of the Laban Centre; a complex of dance studios at the centre of one of south-east London's least prepossessing bits of industrial dereliction, and a shoestring budget, it is already a strong contender for the title of the best new piece of architecture of the year. Herzog and de Meuron see no difference in working with an existing building, such as the old Bankside power station which they turned into Tate Modern, and creating an entirely new building.

and

36 RETURN OF THE PRODIGALS

The Royal Ballet, led by director Monica Mason, is mending rifts by welcoming back dancers who left without due acknowledgement. Usually, a farewell performance is marked by emotional curtain calls, masses of flowers, 'We love you' banners in the audience and tears all round.

Not for Tetsuya Kumakawa, who slipped away in 1998 to set up his own ballet company in Japan. He left Anthony Dowell, then the Royal Ballet's director, in the lurch by taking five men from the company with him. Forgiven at last, he has been invited to return as a guest from 5 to 26 April. He'll be dancing the pas de deux from Le Corsaire in a tribute programme to Rudolf Nureyev, who died in January 1993.

and

40 GARTH FAGAN DANCES

Choreographer of The Lion King, Garth Fagan has run his own African-American dance company in upstate New York for 32 years. Its Sadler's Wells season will be the first time the 15 dancers have appeared in London, though the company tours widely outside as well as in the United States. They're spectacular performers, trained in Fagan's own dance technique, which combines ballet with the earthiness and energy of Afro-Caribbean dance.

Fagan, born in Jamaica, is much in demand as a choreographer: he has been commissioned by the Alvin Ailey Dance Company, Dance Theatre of Harlem and New York City Ballet - though The Lion King has made him internationally famous.

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Preview from the FT.

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Manchester theatre and dance in 2003
Get into the spirit of dance, From manchester online.

THERE'S plenty to look forward to on the dance, family show and musicals front.

Irish dance combines with flamenco and salsa in Spirit Of The Dance on Sunday, March 2, and March also boasts family shows including Johnny Ball's "new educational musical" Tales Of Maths And Legends on Thursday, March 6, plus a new play for seven to 11-year-olds called Diary of An Action Man from Graeae and Unicorn (Monday, March 10 and Monday, March 11). Shakespeare 4 Kidz present their version of A Midsummer Night's Dream on Monday, March 24.

George Piper Dances return with a company of soloists from The Royal Ballet, Rambert and English National Ballet on Wednesday, April 2 and Thursday, April 3.

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