Random and topical thoughts and quotes gathered by My Theatre Mates contributor Aleks Sierz, first published on www.sierz.co.uk.
Dancer Fernando Montano tells us how he wanted to ‘do my bit’ to combat plastic pollution with incredible fundraiser, Dance for the Sea
Columbian performer and Royal Ballet principal Fernando Montano on what moved him to create an evening of performance supporting the Marine Conservation Society, shooting incredible underwater images and an unsung hero of British theatre. Read the interview then book your tickets for Fernando Montano and Friends – Dance for the Sea.
‘Last year was the experiment and this year we’ve grown’: Liza Vallance on creating Barking & Dagenham fringe festival, Clout! 2019
“To be completely honest – it was a total gamble!” Studio 3 Arts Artistic Director Liza Vallance is completely honest about launching East London fringe festival Clout! last year. But it was a gamble that paid off, as Clout returns this July for another season of extraordinary theatre. Read what she told us, then get booking!
NEWS: Royal Ballet star hosts charity show Fernando Montano and Friends – Dance for the Sea in aid of Marine Conservation Society
Leading Latin American dance star and Royal Ballet soloist Fernando Montano will stage Fernando Montano and Friends – Dance for the Sea, an evening of music and dance, later this month to raise both awareness and funds for the Marine Conservation Society. Book your tickets now!
NEWS: Barking fringe festival Clout! returns with packed 2019 season
Following a successful inaugural season in 2018, Barking-based fringe festival Clout! returns next month for a bigger 2019 season including 18 shows over 11 days at two venues. Book your tickets now!
‘Brilliantly told & unbelievably gripping’: MATTHEW BOURNE’S ROMEO & JULIET – Touring ★★★★
I realised very quickly to believe in the critics that have described Matthew Bourne as a wonderful storyteller. Through physical movement, relationships between characters, facial expression and energy (both soft and dynamic), the beautifully tragic story of Romeo and Juliet is told.
Work on your weaknesses to become that complete package
My advice to the next generation of men and women applying for colleges is perhaps avoid the college that excels in your strength.
‘Couldn’t come in a more glorious form’: Hobson’s Choice – Birmingham & London ★★★★★
David Bintley’s choreography for Hobson’s Choice adeptly assists the artists to convey the story clearly, concisely, comically and is remarkable in the extreme.
‘A beautiful reinterpretation of the Shakespearean classic’: MATTHEW BOURNE’S ROMEO & JULIET – Touring ★★★★★
A beautiful reinterpretation of the Shakespearean classic, Matthew Bourne’s Romeo & Juliet at The Lowry modernises the tale of doomed love for a new audience.
NEWS: Adam Cooper & Ashley Shaw return to New Adventures’ The Red Shoes
Adam Cooper and Ashley Shaw will star in the return of Matthew Bourne’s double Olivier award-winning production of The Red Shoes for New Adventures.
FROM DOWN UNDER: The Australian Ballet’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland in Melbourne
The Australian Ballet heads straight back down the rabbit hole, returning award-winning 2017 hit Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland to the Melbourne stage for a very welcome encore season.
‘The spectacular dancers fizzle with precision & energy’: The Firebird / A Month in the Country / Symphony in C – Royal Opera House ★★★★
The Royal Ballet is wrapping its summer season up with a trio of delightful works by three of the greatest choreographers: The Firebird / A Month in the Country / Symphony in C at the Royal Opera House.
‘Breathtaking in its beauty’: BalletBoyz’s Them/Us – West End ★★★★★
From fluid, floaty, tender, strong, angular and jovial to grace, strength and seamless instinctive precision, that’s BalletBoyz’s Them/Us at the Vaudeville Theatre.
‘Great music which finds so many ways into our hearts’: Celebrating the splendour of Tchaikovsky’s three great ballets
I was a little late to the party in respect of Vladimir Jurowski’s scintillating new recording of the original 1877 version of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake with the State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Russia (Yevgeny Svetlanov’s orchestra) but I’ve been much absorbed by it, thrilled by it.
‘Hauntingly hypnotic’: SILENT LINES – Touring ★★★★
Whether you’re a contemporary-dance-curious newcomer or a die-hard fan of Maliphant’s exquisite vision and choreography, Silent Lines is a beautifully serene though sharply executed performance.
‘This message really packs a punch’: MATTHEW BOURNE’s ROMEO & JULIET – Touring
Matthew Bourne’s Romeo and Juliet is a wakeup call to the conscious and unconscious abuse of children and adolescents – psychological, sexual, physical – that plagues our society.
‘The whole company must be applauded’: BEATS ON POINTE – Peacock Theatre ★★★★
Beats on Pointe at the Peacock Theatre is an infectiously enjoyable show that’s at its best when it focuses entirely on the dance – highly recommended.
‘In complete awe of the company’s ability & attention to detail’: DOG WITHOUT FEATHERS – Queen Elizabeth Hall ★★★★★
Deborah Colker Dance Company presents Dog Without Feathers, an incredible piece of dance which combines music, poetry, stark cinematography and a spellbinding dance ensemble.
NEWS: Riverdance producers bring ‘dance extravaganza’ Heartbeat of Home to the West End
The producers of Riverdance have announced that dance and music extravaganza Heartbeat of Home will open in the West End’s Piccadilly Theatre on 4 September 2019, with opening night on 11 September.
‘Enchants the audience from start to finish’: SWAN LAKE – Touring ★★★★★
Thrilling and dynamic, Matthew Bourne’s production of Swan Lake stays with you long after the curtain has come down.