Although a range of contemporary dance companies come intermittently to the Playhouse it seems a very long time indeed since a ballet company has performed there. Possibly the closest in recent years have been BalletBoyz and Michael Clark, but these groups however rooted in ballet technique have moved far away from classical tradition and the pointe shoe; arguably Richard Alston’s elegant lyricism has had a more balletic feel. So Ballet Black’s unabashed embrace of classical technique in chamber format came as a welcome and refreshing change to the Playhouse’s usual dance diet. Eight performers of diverse backgrounds and physical individuality come together as an ensemble in their generous and idealistic dancing, relishing ballet’s lyrical line and romantic feeling in movement, engaging the audience with their enthusiasm in a programme of three new works tailor made for the company. (more…)
June 17, 2016
Ballet Black, Oxford Playhouse Friday 10th June 2016 – Susie Crow reviews
Posted by susiecrow under reviews | Tags: Arthur Pita, Ballet Black, Cassa Pancho, Christopher Hampson, Christopher Marney, Cira Robinson, Crystaux, Isabela Coracy, Jacob Wye, Joshua Hariette, Mthuthuzeli November, Oxford Playhouse, Sayaka Ichikawa, Storyville, To Begin Begin |[2] Comments
June 3, 2016
Ballet Black triple bill, Oxford Playhouse Friday 10th June 2016
Posted by susiecrow under What's happening | Tags: Arthur Pita, Ballet Black, Cassa Pancho, Christopher Hampson, Christopher Marney, Cristaux, Oxford Playhouse, Storyville, To Begin Begin |1 Comment
The exuberant and gifted Ballet Black, now celebrating their 15th year, make their first appearance at Oxford Playhouse with their inspiring triple bill on Friday 10 June. Dancer Cassa Pancho founded Ballet Black in response to the need to provide exciting opportunities for black and ethnic minority dancers in classical ballet.
The night presents three works each from different choreographers, spanning differing styles and showcasing the breadth of Ballet Black’s dance portfolio and the extensive skill of their dancers. Christopher Hampson’s Storyville is the bittersweet fable of Nola, a farm girl who falls prey to unscrupulous characters and world desires in 1920s New Orleans. The programme also includes two newly devised pieces: To Begin, Begin by Christopher Marney, and Cristaux by Arthur Pita. This triple bill combines the bold inventiveness of the choreographers with the ambition and flair of the dancers to present a collection of narrative and abstract dance.
About the company: Ballet Black is a professional ballet company for international dancers of black and Asian descent. It aims to bring ballet to a more culturally diverse audience by celebrating black and Asian dancers in ballet. The company perform and offer community driven classes for dancers and students, young and old. Their ultimate goal is to see a fundamental change in the number of black and Asian dancers in mainstream ballet companies, making that vision wonderfully unnecessary.
Performance: Friday 10th June, 8.00pm
Venue: Oxford Playhouse, Beaumont Street, Oxford OX1 2LW
Tickets: £11.50-£22 available online here or call the box office on 01865 305305
Running time: Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes including an interval.
Find out more about this award winning company here
Oxford Dance Writers 