REVIEW: Birmingham Royal Ballet - Carlos Acosta's Classical Selection at the Everyman Theatre

Cheltenham

I attended opening night on Fri 10th May where Birmingham Royal Ballet returned to Cheltenham with Carlos Acosta's Classical Selection performed by BRB2, some of the very best young dancers from around the world.

As the title suggests, it is not a full ballet but a selection from world leading ballet dancer turned director, Carlos Acosta. It has been a while since I saw a ballet, and much longer since I did a class, so I wondered what I would find, remember and appreciate. The show included instantly recognisable music, with a mix of recorded and live from pianist Jeanette Wong and cellist Antonio Novais, such as Rachmaninov's Rhapsody, Edith Piaf's Je ne regrette rien and Tchaikovsky's iconic Swan Lake.

The show was a real mix of classics, modern, comedy and a world premier from choreographer Will Tuckett.

There were plenty of Carlos and dance enthusiasts in the audience giving real warmth to the performers after each piece. The 'behind the scenes' start and finish to each number was an intriguing idea bringing in the sense of performing, real people and theatre life, although on reflection I prefer a show to be a show, and not seeing reality behind the footlights!

 

 

The young dancers were clearly talented with fouettes and pointe work to admire and astounding height on various leaps and turns in all directions. Some first night nerves perhaps with a few fudges due to balance or costume, all professionally covered, and overall a great insight into the future of BRB. The best thing to see was the shear joy on the dancers' faces as often ballet can seem very serious, and whether it was modern or classic, fun or dramatic, every solo and couple performer were living their dream.

The costumes were amazing too with sheer floating skirts, beautiful tutus, powerful jackets and bare skin, as well as catsuits for the modern End of Time. My favourites have to be the kilt and 'fairy' detail in La Sylphide and the finale piece in striking black and white where eight dancers brought a polished group finish to the evening in great style.

 

 

An added bonus was seeing a short interview with Carlos after the show and hearing how passionate he is about dance, ballet and these young stars having the chance to try some of the most well known dances with guidance from current leads, who he knows will be the leads in 10 years so watch this space!

Catch the tour in May and June.

 

 

DANCES:

Rhapsody pas de deux, La Sylphide pas de deux, Swan Lake Act 2 pas de deux, Dying Swans, Diana and Actaeon pas de deux.

End of Time, A Beunos Aires, Je ne Regrette Bien, Les Bourgeois, Carmen pas de deux, Mirrored, Majisimo.

DANCERS:

Alisa Garkavenko, Maïlène Katoch, Alexandra Manuel, Amelia Thompson, Frieda Kaden, Olivia Chang Clarke, Ariana Allen

Jack Easton, Ryan Felix, Tom Hazelby, Mason King, Alfie Shacklock, Oscar Kempsey-Fagg

 

Review by Tracy

 

 

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