06 Sep 2024
The critically acclaimed New English Ballet Theatre will be making their local debut at the Alban Arena on October 1 with a magical mixed bill of dance.
Baroque & Roll features a dynamic programme of neo-classical ballet, modern ballet, and contemporary dance – all in one evening – October 1 from 7.30pm.
And it’s designed to appeal to everyone – ballet fans as well as those who fancy an entertaining evening of dance and music.
The first half of the programme will feature two pieces by two different choreographers:
Baroque Encounters, created by Daniela Cardim, artistic director of Ballet Arizona, USA, is a beautiful piece of classical and modern ballet performed by seven dancers in rich red costumes to the music of JS Bach.
Daniela said: “I’m always inspired by music to make work. In this case my inspiration was two beautiful pieces Bach wrote for the harpsichord. Baroque Encounters explores how the richness and the layers of Bach’s music translate into contemporary ballet, how they can inspire steps, moods and relationships on stage.”
Did You Steal My Hat? by French choreographer and director Constant Vigier – most recently dancer with Scottish Ballet – is a piece of modern dance performed by six dancers to the music of Felix Mendelssohn.
Constant said: “Some incidents can really make people show their true colours. When someone loses something that means a lot to them but seems worthless to others, accusations can be made, and friendships can be lost. I was keen to delve into this surreal scenario to explore the themes of relationships, judgements, perspectives and egos.”
The second half of the programme features four works by choreographer Kristen McNally who is also a principal character artist with the Royal Ballet.
Kristen’s pieces are famous for being witty, unexpected and great fun and the four works presented at the Alban Arena are perfect examples of her work.
I Can’t Dance and Invisible Touch are performed to the two classic Genesis tracks of the same name while Lonesome Gun and Mad Women are performed to a mix of pop and country music including Ennio Morricone’s classic ‘The Good, the Bad and the Ugly’.
Kristen said: “I was inspired by an exhibition of photos by British photographer Miles Aldridge in which he created a dream world populated by modified women who are visually perfect objects of desire. These women have evolved into flesh and blood Stepford Wives and men are assumed to be their consumers. Mad Women is me wanting to comment that this isn’t a man’s world, it’s very much a woman’s one.”
NEBT founder and artistic director Karen Pilkington-Miksa said: “We’re very excited about performing at the Alban Arena.
“It’s a fabulous venue and I think audiences are going to love what we have to offer! Our programme is called Baroque & Roll to reflect the dance styles and music we’ll be presenting.
For tickets visit https://everyonetheatres.com/whats-on/new-english-ballet-theatre-presents-baroque-roll/
