Scottish Ballet presents an extraordinary triple bill tracing a line through dance from the highly physical to the seductively graceful. Read more …
Fresh from its world premiere as part of the Cultural Olympiad this summer, Martin Lawrance’s Run For It is a high energy work inspired by the grace of Olympic athletes.
Classical discipline meets playfulness in William Forsythe’s Workwithinwork, a study of the possibilities of motion. The dancers create a breathtaking display of fascinating angles and lines, leaving traces of their movements as they go.
Drawing the evening to a fiery close is Hans van Manen’s 5 Tangos. Performed by Scottish Ballet for the first time, this sizzling work combines classical ballet with the passion and dramatic flourishes of the tango.
New Scottish Ballet director Christopher Hampson introduced himself to the audience on opening night. His warm and assured oration endeared him to Glasgow’s ballet lovers, as did his autumn triple bill.
Regardless of the choreography, the quality of the dancing alone was enough to position the current Scottish Ballet troupe alongside the world’s finest dance companies.
Scottish Ballet’s autumn trio of ballets - new, refreshed and old - emphatically establishes that new artistic director Christopher Hampson will be building on from the strengths of his predecessor Ashley Page.
The first season under Scottish Ballet's new Artistic Director, Christopher Hampson launches with a fresh, confident and celebratory style with three distinctively different works from across forty years of contemporary dance.
Though there are a few weaknesses on display, the triple-bill format yields a plentiful, tasty palate of styles. It is however, a triumph for The Scottish Ballet – a showing of sheer versatility and range – and prompts discussion until far after the final curtain call.
Scottish Ballet offers a glimpse of its Autumn Season 2012
Theatre Royal, Glasgow from Thursday October 4, 2012, until Saturday October 6, 2012. More info: www.theambassadors.com/theatreroyalglasgow/
Festival Theatre, Edinburgh from Thursday October 11, 2012, until Saturday October 13, 2012. More info: http://www.edtheatres.com/festival
Eden Court Theatre, Inverness from Tuesday October 16, 2012, until Wednesday October 17, 2012. More info: www.eden-court.co.uk
His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen from Friday October 19, 2012, until Saturday October 20, 2012. More info: www.hmtaberdeen.com