Further thoughts on the 14th November Performance

This was Christopher Bruce's farewell evening, so as you can imagine the dancers and audience were full of energy and goodwill that fed through into the dance quality.

Megumi Eda brought much intensity and restrained expressiveness to Kylian's "Study from Blackbird" and impressed everyone I spoke to. "PreSentient" looked even better from the First Balcony and Rafael Bonachela and Ana Lujan Sanchez really went for it in the central duet and this was sensuality on a par with MacMillan. Phew!! Angela Towler's opening solo is a crucial introduction to the movement vocabulary and she grabbed our attention with her eloquent performance of McGregor's complex, angular steps.

Paul Liburd blazed onto the stage for his solo in "Sounding" and here and in "Grinning" reminded us what a fine dancer he is.

This programme is a terrific showcase for the range of contemporary dance and a great tribute to Christopher Bruce. I've got my fingers crossed that he will be back before too long to make and revive more of his accessible, concerned work as we saw here with "Grinning in Your Face".

Anyone else got any comments?

<small>[ 11-18-2002, 09:17: Message edited by: Stuart Sweeney ]</small>

Rambert
By Jenny Gilbert for The Independent

Rambert's Christopher Bruce is an old hand at feeding the appetite for stories without seeming retrogressive. Were he a greater egotist, he could have made an entire evening of his own golden oldies for his final London season as artistic director. As it was, Grinning In Your Face, set to finger-picking guitar arrangements by Martin Simpson, was the single Bruce item – a pity, since nothing else was nearly so jolly.

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Excellent company
By Nadine Meisner for The Independent

The programme chosen to mark the finale of Christopher Bruce's wise eight-year directorship of Rambert Dance Company was remarkably low-key. There was no retrospective of Bruce's choreography, no special gala titbits, just a normal selection containing one Bruce item, Grinning in Your Face, made last year.

But there is normal – and normal. Two pieces made the programme rather special: Wayne McGregor's new PreSentient and Jiri Kylian's Study from Blackbird. Dedicated to Christopher Bruce for "his passion, vision, creativity and above all his inspiration", PreSentient is an inspired piece. It continues McGregor's concern with extending human movement into a kind of alien neo-classicism.

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Rambert are down in Plymouth for four days at The Theatre Royal. Here is the link to the information on the Rambert website and also useful page from the BBC website:

A real mix from Rambert Dance Company

The world-renowned Rambert Dance Company are bringing their autumn tour to the Theatre Royal in Plymouth. As ever, it's an innovative show, featuring a real mixture of styles and music in a four night run which is bound to go down well with dance enthusiasts.

Rambert Dance Company is the oldest dance company in Britain, having been established in 1926.

Emphasis is on the development of British-based choreographers, particularly from within Rambert’s own ranks.

The company tours throughout Britain annually, accompanied by its Associate Orchestra, London Musici.

Rambert is an Associate Company of London’s principal theatre for dance, Sadler’s Wells,

Rambert Dance Company
Plymouth Theatre Royal
27th - 30th November, 2002
Tickets: £10.50 to £22
Box Office: 01752 267222
Group Sales: 01752 260960

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Here are a couple of local preview articles:

A LAST DANCE BEFORE THE MUSIC STOPS
Su Carroll talks to choreographer Christopher Bruce for The Evening Herald

CHRISTOPHER Bruce has been dancing since he was child when it was considered a good exercise to strengthen his legs after contracting polio.

At the age of 13 he joined the Rambert School and now, more than 40 years later, he is leaving the Rambert Dance Company after a successful career as dancer, choreographer and - for the last eight years - artistic director.

He admits that his departure is an emotional time, but he's going out with a fantastic programme of dance which offers one last chance to perform.

"Rambert is my family, it's my home," he says. "I've been a choreographer for over 30 years and it's great that people still want to see my work. I don't believe I've made my last work and, when I've had a rest, I will continue to work but at my own pace."

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DANCE STAR STEPS DOWN IN PLYMOUTH
By I-CHENG CHAN for the Evening Herald (Plymouth)

Plymouth is to witness the last ever dance performances of a leading British choreographer this week as he steps down from his role as artistic director of the Rambert Dance Company.

Internationally acclaimed Christopher Bruce is retiring after a lifetime choreographing some of the most important contemporary dance works - and has chosen the Theatre Royal as the venue for his final stage appearances.

In the run-up to the company's performances in the city, which begin tomorrow, the 57-year-old artistic director spoke about his remarkable career, views on contemporary dance today and plans for the future.

Born in Leicester in 1946, he was the eldest of four children who were all encouraged by their father to take up ballet when the family moved to Scarborough in East Yorkshire.

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<big>As always, comments about the performances, Christopher Bruce's retirement or Rambert in general will be very welcome</big>

<small>[ 11-28-2002, 11:43: Message edited by: Stuart Sweeney ]</small>

Tonight (Friday) and tomorrow are your last chances to see Rambert in Plymouth. I have checked with the theatre and there are seats at all proces still available. Here's the report of one very satisfied customer:

A real mix from Rambert Dance Company
The world-renowned Rambert Dance Company have brought their autumn tour to the Theatre Royal in Plymouth. Review by Elaine McFadyen for BBCi Devon.

Rambert Dance Company
Plymouth Theatre Royal
27th - 30th November, 2002
Tickets: £10.50 to £22
Box Office: 01752 267222
Group Sales: 01752 260960

Not only are Rambert the oldest dance company in the UK (established in 1926 by Marie Rambert), but they are undoubtedly the most talented and creative.

For this visit to the South West, they have arranged a richly varied programme incorporating four short pieces which beautifully showcase their diversity and versatility.

Abandon any notions you may harbour about tutus, men in tights and poncing about on a stage - get a ticket and marvel at Rambert’s physical prowess, athleticism and agility all showcased with a slick veneer of glamour.

As the lights dim and a hush falls over the expectant audience a pair of stark figures perform incredible contortions and stretches in an excerpt from Kylian’s abstract work "Blackbird."

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<small>[ 11-29-2002, 08:10: Message edited by: Stuart Sweeney ]</small>

A message from Rambert Dance Company

Looking for inspiration for the perfect Christmas present?

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We have a brand new range of Rambert Dance Company t-shirts for men and
women now available to buy from our online store. - The perfect present for
Rambert fans and dance enthusiasts:

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You can also buy books, CDs, videos, education resources and more:

Click here

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GIFT MEMBERSHIP

For a more unusual present, consider a membership to Rambert Dance Company.
The member will be entitled to several exciting benefits, plus you will be
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and versatile dance companies in the world. Memberships are available at a
number of different levels, so you can choose how much you would like to
spend. For further information, please see the JOIN US section of the
website:

Click here

<small>[ 12-16-2002, 18:49: Message edited by: Stuart Sweeney ]</small>