Oxford Dance Writers

Central School of Ballet’s renowned graduate performing company Ballet Central brings its annual nationwide tour to The Theatre, Chipping Norton on Saturday 2nd June at 7.45 pm. Under the artistic direction of Christopher Marney, Ballet Central’s diverse range of dance and theatre will be performed in 20 towns and cities in England and Wales across a five month period.

This season’s breadth of repertoire is testament to the distinguished choreographers that support the young dance company: Matthew Bourne of New Adventures honours Ballet Central with the Fairies Prologue from his gothic-reworking of Sleeping Beauty and, for the first time, Ballet Central will present an excerpt from FAR by multi award-winning choreographer and director Wayne McGregor.

After the success of last year’s Romeo & Juliet, choreographer Jenna Lee returns to Ballet Central with her brand new creation Black Swan, a dark twist on the iconic classic.

To celebrate the life and work of Kenneth MacMillan, Ballet Central introduces an excerpt from his rarely-seen 1983 ballet Valley of Shadows inspired by Georgio Bassani’s haunting novel The Garden of the Finzi-Continis.

And finally, to close this year’s performance, Christopher Marney will revive scenes from Christopher Gable’s Cinderella on the 25th anniversary of its creation. Set to an acclaimed score by Ballet Central’s resident composer Philip Feeney, this is a timeless version of a much-loved fairy tale.

Ballet Central is the touring company of Central School of Ballet in London, one of the leading centres for professional dance training and education. Students in the final year of their three-year BA (Hons) degree course in Professional Dance and Performance join Ballet Central to gain invaluable touring experience before graduation, enabling them to join premier dance companies.  Recent Central graduates are currently employed with Birmingham Royal Ballet, Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures Company, English National Ballet, Scottish Ballet, Ballet Ireland, National Ballet of Estonia, Ballet Black, Northern Ballet, K Ballet, Rambert Dance Company, Phoenix Dance Theatre, Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, Singapore Dance Theatre, Michael Clark Company, The Lion King, Phantom of the Opera and An American in Paris.

Performance:  Saturday 2nd June 7.45pm

Venue:  The Theatre Chipping Norton, 2 Spring Street, Chipping Norton, Oxon OX7 5NL

Tickets:  Adults £15.50, concessions £13.50

Book online here, or call the Box Office on 01608 642350

For more information visit: www.balletcentral.co.uk and www.centralschoolofballet.co.uk

Twitter: @balletcentral
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_ballet_central_/

Following the success of Rapunzel and Snow White, award winning balletLORENT returns to Oxford Playhouse with the final show in their trilogy of fairytales, Rumpelstiltskin, directed by Liv Lorent.  Full of action and humour, this emotionally rich story retold by Carol Ann Duffy is set in a rural world of sheep, straw, wool and spinning; where the alchemist Rumpelstiltskin is outcast until he is revealed to be ‘the true prince that he was’.  With choreography by Liv Lorent and the company involving a local intergenerational cast, a score by Doctor Who composer Murray Gold, costumes designed by Michele Clapton (Game of Thrones), narration by actor Ben Crompton, this is dance theatre for 21st Century family audiences.

Phil Eddolls (set design) and Malcolm Rippeth (lighting design) once again join the world class collaborators team, along with associate lighting designer Michael Morgan, to create a visually stunning setting for Rumpelstiltskin.

“It is a thing of magic and beauty, not so much a cautionary tale but one of hope and reconciliation.” David Whetstone, Newcastle Evening Chronicle (*****)

“It’s a fitting, sumptuous and beautifully realised production to bring the five years of the trilogy to its culmination and well deserved the enthusiasm and standing ovation with which it was greeted.” Peter Latham, British Theatre Guide

“Fabulous show – beautiful to watch, wonderful storytelling and choreography; a very special evening..” Northern Stage Audience Member

“I haven’t enjoyed a show so much for a long time. I was delighted and left in tears by your production.” Northern Stage Audience Member

Performances:  Friday 1st June 7.00pm, Saturday 2nd June 2.00pm & 7.00pm

Venue:  Oxford Playhouse, Beaumont Street, Oxford OX1 2LW

Tickets:  £10-£21, book online here or call the Box Office on 01865 305305

Duration:  Approximately 1 hour 40 minutes with interval

Age guideline:  7 plus

Find out more about the company and the production here

The long established Yuka Kodama Ballet Group, which operates in association with Oxford University Ballet Society, offers an extensive programme of adult ballet classes informed by the Russian tradition, including opportunities for male dancers and pas de deux work.  It presents its annual summer show at Wychwood School once again; an opportunity to see what this committed and enthusiastic group of local dancers can do.  This year the programme consist of the intriguingly titled A Rehearsal Scene from Don Quixote, and The Bright Stream set to Shostakovich’s dazzling score.

Performances:  Friday 1st June 7.30pm, Saturday 2nd June 2.00pm and 6.30pm

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

Tickets:  £12/ £8.50

Purchase on the door or buy online here

Find out more about the group on Facebook here

Find out about Oxford University Ballet Society here

Confluence Collective is inspired by the musical traditions of Oxford’s richly diverse communities. Its unique and constantly expanding repertoire blends music from Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America. Confluence Collective has no boundaries; its musicians will transport you from Portugal to the Punjab, from Spain to Senegal, from Iran to India, in fact to anywhere in the world.  Increasingly dance is becoming a part of Confluence events which are open to all, and the Collective welcomes dancers of all genres.

The next monthly Confluence Cafe takes place on Saturday 19th May.  At this free event there will be music, dance and poetry from around the world, as expressed by people living in Oxford. There will be food and good company, and if you would like to perform or take part in a performance, then there will be plenty of opportunity. Bring and share food, music, dance or poetry or just come along and enjoy.

There will be some special considerations of the work of Rumi and a chance to join in with some group songs written for the Littlemore Oratorio – in particular All Shall be Well arranged from mystic words by Andrew Smith and Malcolm Atkins

The Confluence Collective look forward to seeing you there.

Date:  Saturday 19th May 2.00-5.00pm

Venue:  St Luke’s Church, Canning Crescent, Oxford OX1 4XB

Find out more here

Much loved and long established Oxford Youth Dance, led by Cecilia Macfarlane with Elly Crowther, present their latest programme of work at The Old Fire Station.  Flame is a compilation of powerful dances inspired by fire, created by the company and guests including visiting dancers from Japan; offering heat, energy and excitement that will keep the audience warm and send them off dancing too.  They will be dancing with the power and essential nature of fire, and the many myths and stories about how vital this element is in our lives.

Performances:  Saturday 19th May, 3.00pm and 6.00pm

Venue:  Arts at the Old Fire Station, 40 George Street, Oxford OX1 2AQ

Tickets:  £13 Adults, £11 Concessions

Book online here or call the Box Office on 01865 263990

Duration:  75 minutes including brief interval

Find out more about Oxford Youth Dance here and on Facebook here