April 2007
Royal Ballet in The Seven Deadly Sins/ Pierrot Lunaire/ La Fin du Jour at Royal Opera House
‘The entire affair lacks the sardonic edge that lies in Brecht’s words, even the curious lyricism with which Weill imbues Anna’s journeyings. Zenaida Yanowsky does all in her considerable powers to force the drama along, but it is an activity comparable…
Viva La Diva
Darcey Bussell is joining forces with opera singer Katherine Jenkins, to present a show which wil celebrate a diverse line up of divas – includig Maria Callas, Madonna, Doris Day, and Judy Garland. Read mo… Continue Reading
Royal Ballet in The Seven Deadly Sins/ Pierrot Lunaire/ La Fin du Jour at Royal Opera House
‘From the moment we first see them holding hands at the start of their journey, Wainwright and Yanowsky strike such an affecting double act that their symbiotic bond overrides any doubts about the way their story is being told.’
Mahabharata at Sadler's Wells
‘All the cast is strong, and gorgeous Natasha Jayetileke as Draupadi is a stand-out. Too bad the melodic curse of Shaftesbury Avenue spoils her pitch.’
Royal Ballet in The Seven Deadly Sins/ Pierrot Lunaire/ La Fin du Jour at Royal Opera House
‘The most frustrating thing is that Tuckett is a real talent. The Seven Deadly Sins is beautifully crafted, and its choreography is dense, tight and clever throughout.’
Royal Ballet in The Seven Deadly Sins/ Pierrot Lunaire/ La Fin du Jour at Royal Opera House
‘The pop/folk singer Martha Wainwright sings live on stage, while Will Tuckett’s choreography has plenty of bright ideas. But I came out of the ballet feeling as if I hadn’t seen it yet.’
Royal Ballet in The Seven Deadly Sins/ Pierrot Lunaire/ La Fin du Jour at Royal Opera House
‘With a pungent feel for period, Brotherston has collaborated with choreographer Will Tuckett to update the ballet to the early 1960s, introducing an element of rock’n‘roll that reinvigorates its drama.’
Royal Ballet in The Seven Deadly Sins/ Pierrot Lunaire/ La Fin du Jour at Royal Opera House
27 April 2007 There is, as they say, many a slip twixt cup and lip and even the very best ideas need careful attention to detail. This advice is particularly apt in the context of Will Tuckett‘s new adapta… Continue Reading
Mahabharata at Sadler's Wells
28 April performance. At best, this production is poor. At worst (the Andrew Lloyd-Webber (I kid you not) musical interludes) it is insulting trash. The acting (it is a play with musical interludes, not a dance … Continue Reading
Mahabharata at Sadler's Wells
‘The dance content seemed a mixture of traditional Kathak and Bollywood moves which helped to chase the action along, well performed by the dancers including Dwaipayan Das, Abhilasha Chawdhary and Subrata Pandit.’
Mahabharata at Sadler's Wells
‘The problem is not the designs, or orchestral music, or choreography – all sound stuff. The hindrance is the tone of the acting and a few sub-Lloyd Webber songs.’
Mahabharata at Sadler's Wells
‘I also admired Stuart Wood’s stage imagery in tricky scenes such as Draupadi’s marriage to the five brothers, poetically staged with a lovely use of sheets, and Gauri Sharma Tripathi’s rare bursts of Kathak group choreography, which cleverly depl…
Mahabharata at Sadler's Wells
‘Gauri Sharma Tripathi’s choreography is rooted in the Indian classical form Kathak. In one celebration, she fills the stage with dancers in red, spinning in delight.’
Mahabharata at Sadler's Wells
‘A combination of weak writing, flaccid direction and feeble drama means that this Mahabharata, for all its colourful visuals, gorgeous music, lively dance and occasionally striking theatre, is a catalogue of missed opportunities.’