STRAND Mag's 6 Recommendations for London's Dance Spring Season
If there exists a selection of productions that exemplify the London dance scene's versatility and exceptional quality, it is these six playing from now until April. With various dance styles features on the stages of the Royal Opera House and Sadler's Wells Theatre, this rundown includes a show for everyone regardless of how much you know about dance. Plus, if you're a student, you can watch these stellar performances with cheap tickets.
Encantado: Choreographed by Lia Rodrigues, Performed by Lia Rodrigues Companhia de Dancas
Style: Modern/ Brazilian dance
A contender for the Rose Prize, a new international prize for dance of all styles, Encantado (by the Brazilian choreographer Lia Rodrigues) presents a handful of dancers and over 140 pieces of fabric to explore questions about community and culture. Set to traditional Brazilian music, this is the UK premiere of a piece about finding the light in dark times. While Rodrigues is trained in classical ballet, Encantado is modern with local Brazilian influences. It was created during the COVID-19 pandemic, but Rodrigues explains that the restrictions fuelled her creativity: since the dancers couldn’t touch each other, there is a segment where they are only connected by the fabrics.
This performance is for anyone curious to see how a Brazilian choreographer overcomes choreographic limitations and fuses local influences with the typical European language of modern dance.
The Royal Ballet performs Light of Passage at the Royal Opera House. Photo Credit: Tristram Kenton
Light of Passage: Choreographed by Crystal Pite, Performed by the Royal Ballet
Style: Modern ballet/ contemporary
Crystal Pite is one of my favourite current choreographers – I’ve watched four of her works and I have been surprised every time. Light of Passage is no exception. It navigates the theme of passage through three perspectives: refugees, children, and the elderly. Each act is equally touching and beautiful to watch. The dancers of the Royal Ballet, whom these pieces were created for a few years ago, dance in complete unison as one entity. I like that Pite’s choreography is modern but maintains the ballet tradition of looking effortless; she manages to make every step that the dancers take look as if they are dancing through honey.
This piece is wonderful for those who are new to dance, as Pite choreographs in a very accessible manner with naturalistic movement accompanied by an ingenious use of props and sets.
Deepstaria: Choreographed by Wayne McGregor, Performed by Company Wayne McGregor
Style: Modern ballet/ contemporary
McGregor is known for the innovative stories he presents in his ballets and his ability to collaborate with various artists of other mediums. In Deepstaria, McGregor focuses on the concept of a void, both in physical and psychological senses. Given that McGregor is the resident choreographer of the Royal Ballet, it should be nice to see McGregor’s own dancers interpret his more experimental work for this UK premiere.
This piece is perfect for anyone interested in the arts in general for its combination of disciplines. It is more obscure than some others on this list but should not intimidate those who have seen some dance before.
Company Wayne McGregor performing Deepstaria at Sadler's Wells Theatre. Photo Credit: Ravi Deepres
Romeo and Juliet: Choreographed by Kenneth MacMillan, Performed by the Royal Ballet
Style: Classical/ Neo-classical ballet
A literary classic turned into a modern classic of dance. Prokofiev’s incredible score accompanied by some beautiful partnerships of principal dancers will make your visit worthwhile, particularly if you can catch Yasmine Naghdi and Matthew Ball who portray the title characters with exquisite complexity. MacMillan’s choreography allows the emotions of the characters to shine, giving space to the infamous story. The gorgeous costumes and set design will keep any audience member in awe throughout the performance.
Another perfect ballet for beginners, this production will allow audiences to understand the language of dance at their own pace as they follow a familiar story.
Merce Cunningham Forever (BIPED and Beach Birds): Choreographed by Merce Cunningham, Performed by the Lyon Opera Ballet
Style: Modern dance
Merce Cunnigham is a key figure in the history of modern dance, especially for his contributions to avant-garde art in his collaborations with different mediums. A student of Martha Graham, Cunningham’s style expands on modern dance techniques, focusing on pushing the body’s physical capabilities. Part of Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels Festival, this ballet presents two important pieces of Cunningham repertoire: the 1999 BIPED and the 1991 Beach Birds. BIPED combines dance with animation, exploring how technology can be used to aid choreography and dance as an art form.
Beach Birds features music by Cunningham’s lifelong partner John Cage, the prominent composer of 20th-century experimental music, and focuses on the grace of animalistic movements. These two works are perfect for those interested in discovering how Cunningham’s style influenced modern dance.
The Royal Ballet performing George Balanchine's choreography at the Royal Opera House. Photo Credit: Tristram Kenton
Balanchine: Three Signature Works: Choreographed by George Balanchine, Performed by the Royal Ballet
Style: Neoclassical ballet
Like Cunningham, Balanchine was integral to the 20th-century dance world, but this time for ballet. Famous for establishing ballet in the United States, Balanchine introduced story-less ballets and believed in dancing for dance's sake. The three pieces presented in this mixed bill are Serenade, Prodigal Son, and Symphony in C, set to music by Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, and Bizet respectively.
Serenade is a gorgeous piece that does not follow a story, but its energy and beauty make it an excellent introduction to story-less dance. Meanwhile, Prodigal Son features Balanchine’s iconic neo-classical choreography, this time following a more classic arc with a biblical story. Finally, Symphony in C is Balanchine’s take on a grand corps de ballet finale, with classical flat tutus and tiaras.
These pieces show different sides of Balanchine’s choreography and style – ideal for those interested in neo-classical dance and this legendary choreographer’s work.
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