Perhaps the title of this review should be confessions of a ballet novice. Indeed, my cherry has been finally popped, and I am no longer a stranger to the mystical and magical ways of this art form. I chose tonight’s performance as my maiden voyage because of the variety on offer, and it proved a very good starting point for someone who was a ballet virgin.

The three pieces were in complete contrast to each other, although a running theme of love was interwoven making the connection in the programme. In all honesty, the first performance, Apollo, did not conjure much inspiration within me. The one-dimensional blue backdrop offered little respite for at times quite a dull show. I felt that the timing of the three girls (Joanna Maley, Erina Takahashi and Caroline Duprot) had little to be desired for. The overall love developed between Apollo himself (Dmitri Gruzdyev) and the girls was really at times performed with an emotionless air. The choreography was really perhaps the main problem (Here’Say?!). However, the ending frieze was really quite exquisite and managed to rouse interest in what was being performed.

  It was however the second piece of the evening that really made the trip worthwhile. Christopher Hampson’s ‘Double Concerto’ was completely exquisite. The music of Poulenc was stunning, much to the thanks of a great pianist. Set with a backdrop of post modern steel tubing, the dancers provided a great aray of stunning moves reflecting the themes. The performance captured the mind, this due to the combination of a fantastic orchestra, clever set and a display of stunning ballet moves. This was the piece that made the evening, and it was a shame that the Gershwin inspired ‘who cares’ let the evening down. I found this performance predictable and quite frankly ‘cheesy’. The orchestral interpretation of Gershwin was basic, and the set was frankly a distraction from the performance. Not because it was a good set I hasten to add! The fake fireworks and streetlights appeared to be an attempt to make this piece classy, which it certainly was not. The dancing was well-rounded stuff, but didn’t fire any imagination in this young upstart! At the end of the performance I left as the title stated, who cares!  

O am looking forward to attending ballets in the future. It was the ‘Double Concerto’ that has inspired me. The evening’s performances I feel was designed to present a wealth of different styles. It is therefore probably my personal taste that gives criticism to the Gershwin. I indeed hope that I can see more performances in the vien of the ‘poulenc’, providing a satisfying presentation to leave you begging for more!

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