Passion, precision and some magical Russian steps By Nadine Meisner for The Independent
It may be the most exciting, the most famous folk ensemble in the world, but here in Britain, the Moiseyev Russian Dance Company has not appeared for 38 years and the name elicits only an interrogatively raised eyebrow. London's Russian community, though, knows better. They were out in force for the opening night when the Russian ambassador made a speech. He declared this the first performance by a major Russian company since a Moscow theatre's occupation by "the forces of barbarism" hit the headlines. "We are making the statement," he said, "that the show goes on".
The Moiseyev show has been going on for 65 years, which is a long time, but not as long as its 96-year-old founder Igor Moiseyev, a former dancer with the Bolshoi. At its creation, it was an innovation to have a company of professional performers. Immaculate in presentation, using dances choreographed for the stage by Moiseyev, it stands out among amateur troupes as an ideal to look up to, a model ensuring the preservation and promotion of folk culture.
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