This autumn the dynamic, dazzling and delightful Ballet Black returns to Oxford Playhouse with a fresh triple bill of dances. Artistic Director Cassa Pancho once again commissions bold choreography, blending the classical and contemporary, narrative and abstract, for a company comprising British and international dancers of black and Asian descent.
A four-hander characterised by intricate detail and propulsive energy, Captured ebbs and flows to the fiery emotion of Martin Lawrance’s edgy choreography, set to a Shostakovich string quartet. First premiered in 2012, Captured was an instant audience and critical success. French choreographer, Ludovic Ondiviela, presents Dopamine (you make my levels go silly), a beautiful pas de deux about love, lust and passion, with an original score created by acclaimed British composer, Fabio D’Andrea. South Bank Sky Arts Award-winner Annabelle Lopez Ochoa turns a popular fairy tale on its head, as Red Riding Hood is given a surprising twist.
“Dash, daring and joie-de-vivre” The Guardian
“A funny, gutsy spin on the traditional fairytale that’s clearly a riot to dance” The Guardian on Red Riding Hood
Performance: Wednesday 4th October, 7.30pm
Venue: Oxford Playhouse, Beaumont Street, Oxford OX1 2LW
Tickets: £10 – £25 available from the Ticket Office on 01865 305305 or book online at www.oxfordplayhouse.com
Age guideline: 7 years plus
Find out more about Ballet Black here
Read Susie Crow’s review of their previous performance at the Oxford Playhouse in 2016 here
Dame Beryl Grey’s autobiography is both a personal memoir and the story of twentieth century English ballet told from the point of view of one of its leaders. It is fascinating to compare Peter Wright’s Wrights & Wrongs, which covers a similar ground, yet is utterly different; both writers have outlived most of their contemporaries, but Grey seems much the more discreet of the two.
Grey’s approach is chronological, starting with her birth into a happy and loving family, which instilled religious faith, a strong work ethic and respect for authority and British institutions (she is an unabashed royalist). Part One describes in detail her dancing life, as she quickly worked her way up through the ranks of the Sadler’s Wells company, becoming a principal of the Royal Ballet, before launching herself on an independent career, which included becoming the first Western ballerina to guest with the Bolshoi Ballet. Part Two covers her time as Director of Festival Ballet. (more…)
dotdotdot dance uses flamenco as a medium to create innovative dance, challenge conventional perceptions and explore how traditional flamenco can be expressed in a contemporary context. In No Frills, they set out to strip flamenco down to its bare essence to access and express the raw and nuanced energy that is awoken in both performer and spectator.
The North Wall are delighted to welcome back Yinka Esi Graves, Noemí Luz and Magdalena Mannion of dotdotdot dance once again following the sell-out success of their show in 2015. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience these superb dancers and musicians in authoritative and expressive performance. Read Susie Crow’s previous review of No Frills here
Performance: Friday 29th September, 8pm
Venue: The North Wall Arts Centre, South Parade, Oxford OX2 7JN
Tickets: £16/£13 concessions/£10 members
Book online: https://www.thenorthwall.com/whats-on/no-frills/
PLUS Flamenco Taster Workshop – 5.30pm-6.30pm
£10 per person
Email dotdotdotflamenco@gmail.com for more details
Ana Barbour’s Rope, Rock, R… investigates and plays with various materials like a rope, wool, a stone, and experiments with the qualities of these often oppositional and complementary props. She does this with a virtuosity and variety of ideas, aesthetic and controlled use of movement which is a pleasure to watch. (more…)
Oxford Dance Writers 