Oxford Dance Writers

The Yuka Kodama Ballet Group in association with Oxford University Ballet Society present their annual performances this coming weekend at Wychwood School; with a bright and upbeat programme consisting of The Adventures of Cipollino and Gala Concert.  This informal group brings together people of all ages who enjoy dancing classical ballet, studying technique and performing.  The group began its life in Japan, and is now based in Oxford, offering a range of ballet classes mainly for adults (including pointe work, pas de deux and men’s classes) to ballet enthusiasts from all over the world.  All the group’s dancing is very much in the classical tradition, with a strong bias towards Russian technique.

Performances:  Friday 2nd June 7.30pm, Saturday 3rd June 2.00pm & 6.30pm

Venue:  Wychwood School, 74 Banbury Road, OX2 6JR

Tickets:  £11, £8 concessions

Book online here, or buy on the door.

Find out about Yuka Kodama Ballet Group here

And about Oxford University Ballet Society here

Another live transmission of masterworks from the Royal Ballet‘s historic repertoire coming up shortly at Oxford’s Phoenix Picturehouse, essential viewing for ballet lovers.  This gorgeous mixed programme, part of celebrations of the company’s 70 years of residency at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, demonstrates the great creative vision of Frederick Ashton, Founder Choreographer of The Royal Ballet.  The Dream is Ashton’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s riotous comedy in which a forest sprite plays havoc, armed with a love potion.  Symphonic Variations was Ashton’s first work after World War II, and one of the Company’s first to be performed on the huge main stage of the Royal Opera House, in 1946. With six dancers performing a series of quartets, duets, sextets and solos to Cesar Franck’s brooding Variations symphoniques, this seminal masterpiece celebrates the pure beauty of movement.  Marguerite and Armand is Ashton’s beautiful and emotional retelling of a well-known story, familiar to us through Verdi’s opera La traviata.  Ashton famously created this poignant ballet on Margot Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev in 1963.

Date:  Wednesday 7th June 2017, 7.15pm

Venue:  Phoenix Picturehouse, 57 Walton Street, Oxford OX2 6AE

Tickets:  Adults £22, student or retired £17.50, child £10, family ticket for four £64

Book online here or call 0871 902 5736

This transmission will also be screened at The Vue Cinema, Kassam Stadium, details available here and at the Odeon Magdalen Street, details here

Renowned innovator Mark Murphy’s action packed production, Out Of This World, explodes onto the Playhouse stage in this psychological thriller and heart-rending, medical drama. Within a world of projected film and animation, it combines stunning aerial choreography, impressive special effects and edge of the seat storytelling to create a show that propels its audience through one woman’s descent into the depths of a medically induced coma.

Set in the mind of Ellen following a car crash, the show pieces together the scattered remnants of Ellen’s memory creating a vivid inward cinema in which she reviews her life. After discovering a shocking truth, she begins a very real fight to survive. (more…)

Following on from his fascinating presentation for DANSOX in 2015 on The Fascist Legs of Serge Lifar, internationally renowned dance scholar Professor Mark Franko of Temple University USA returns to St Hilda’s College to deliver a guest seminar which will examine how neoclassicism was theorized in French ballet during the 1930s.  Don’t miss this opportunity to hear about the further development of Professor Franko’s thought provoking research.

Date:  Friday 2nd June 5.30-7.00pm

Venue:  Jacqueline du Pré Building, St Hilda’s College, Cowley Place, Oxford OX4 1DY

Tickets:  This event is free and open to all and will be followed by refreshments.  However please book online here

Find out more about Dance Scholarship Oxford (DANSOX) and its ongoing programme here

Read Susanna Reece’s report for Oxford Dance Writers of Professor Franko’s talk on The Fascist Legs of Serge Lifar here

Last week, Richard Alston Dance Company brought Oxford Playhouse a programme that was all about surprising encounters: tango and contemporary dance; Britten and Purcell; Scarlatti and Andalusia; Indian and Western classicism.

The evening opened with Martin Lawrance’s Tangent, a clever take on tango for four couples, set to Piazzolla’s Las Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas, which was played at the grand piano on stage by Jason Ridgway. Lawrance uses steps such as picked up foot-crossing walks, sharp changes of direction and occasional close holds to hint at tango, but this contemporary dance piece is not at all like ‘Strictly’, although there is plenty of spectacle. (more…)

A rare visit south of the border from the prestigious and dynamic Scottish Dance Theatre, coming for the first time to Didcot’s Cornerstone Arts Centre, provides an opportunity for Oxford dance enthusiasts not to be missed.  Velvet Petal is inspired by the life cycle of the Monarch butterfly, the photography of Robert Mapplethorpe and the transformative power of creating beauty out of whatever’s on the bedroom floor.

Set to a fresh dance-punk score, including music by LCD Soundsystem, James Holden and Fourtet, Scottish Dance Theatre’s exceptional dancers will entice and entertain you as they philosophise, seduce, and experiment with their bodies, their clothing and their ideas.

Velvet Petal is created by celebrated choreographer and Artistic Director of Scottish Dance Theatre Fleur Darkin (Bristol Old Vic, Edinburgh International Festival, Royal Opera House) with text by award-winning writer Pamela Carter (Untitled Projects, National Theatre of Scotland, Malmo Opera House) and photos by innovative artist/designer Jack Wrigley (85a, Untitled Projects, Glasgow School of Art).

For ages 16+. Contains adult language and sexual themes.

Performance:  Friday 12th May 7.30pm

Venue:  Cornerstone Arts Centre, 25 Station Road, Didcot, Oxon OX11 7NE

Tickets:  £14, £10.50 & Members £11.20

Book online here or call the Box office on 01235 515144

Find out more about Scottish Dance Theatre here

Much loved Oxford dance community Tac-au-Tac and highly respected dance artist/teacher Joëlle Pappas return to Pegasus Theatre with a family dance showcase performed by children and young people, featuring a guest appearance from Oxford Youth Dance Company.  What the Wind Told the Tree Tops is a collection of short dances which celebrate young people’s imagination, creativity and love of dance.

Suitable for all ages.

Performances:  Saturday 13th May 3.30pm & 7.00pm

Venue:  Pegasus Theatre, Magdalen Road, Oxford OX4 1RE

Tickets:  £12, £8 concessions

Book online here, or call the Box Office on 01865 812150

Find out about Tac-au-Tac Dance Theatre and activities here