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Congratulations to Maximum Dance and all those involved with the Company. In European terms, I can't think of a similar model of a small ballet company with dancers of the highest quality. It's an exciting concept and great that it is working so well. <P>Medium sized traditional ballet companies simply don't work here in the UK, which is the reason that Ballet Rambert became Rambert Dance. Which just leaves the full size ballet companies, but they have great difficulty incorporating smaller sized, radical work. Thus, a small company like Maximum has the advantage of being able to create adventurous work.<P>Sad to say there is another problem in trying this innovation here in the UK, which is that audiences basically want classical ballet. I have no problem getting a stand-by ticket for the handful of RB contemporary ballet programmes. The mass of full length classical ballets are almost always sold out. We remain a nation of very traditional tastes. Thus, sadly I'm not sure whether the Maximum model would work here. Irek Mukhamedev has had shows with top quality dancers, but they predominantly dance the great pdds or very accessible new work. On the Continent, where tastes are more adventurous there are small ballet companies specialising in contemporary work, but perhaps not enjoying the participation of dancers of major company Principal status. Are there any companies similar to Max in the US or elsewhere that readers know about? <P>Turning to the review, I notice that there was a work by David Palmer called 'The Unknown Soldier'. When I met David in London we talked about my interest in dance and human rights, so I'm keen to hear a bit more about this work. Perhaps you could even persuade David to tell us something about it, Shag. <P>Well done again to all involved - one day I'll carry out my threat to make a trip to see the Company.
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