Yuka Kodama Ballet Group, Wychwood School 31st May 2019 – David Bellan reviews

Oxford Dance Writers is delighted to welcome experienced dance critic David Bellan, formerly writing for the Oxford Times, as a guest reviewer; here writing about the recently performed programme of new works by the Yuka Kodama Ballet Group in association with Oxford University Ballet Society.

It’s several years since I have reviewed this company of talented amateurs, but I was as impressed as ever.

They opened with A Night in the Tropics, with tuneful piano music by the exotic Louis Moreau Gottschalk – a half Jewish, half Creole virtuoso pianist admired as a child by Chopin and Liszt. The work falls into seven parts, allowing Kodama to highlight most of her cast, choreographing for each performer according to their abilities. It has a classical look. It was well danced, and clearly well rehearsed. Most impressive, for entirely different reasons, were the company’s two boys: Matt Pybus and Taiga Kodama-Pomfret.

 

Yuka Kodama Ballet Group with OUBS presents The Bright Stream, Wychwood School, 1st-2nd June 2018

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

 

Yuka Kodama Ballet Group: The Adventures of Cipollino & Gala Concert, Wychwood School, 2nd-3rd June 2017

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

 

Yuka Kodama Ballet Group & Oxford University Ballet Society performances Wychwood School 29th & 30th May 2015

The Yuka Kodama Ballet Group once again presents its annual performance, in association with Oxford University Ballet Society.  This year’s programme on show at Wychwood School on Friday 29th and Saturday 30th May is made up of two new works by Yuka Kodama, The Wonderful Wizard of Ox and Italian Symphony.

The Yuka Kodama Ballet Group is an informal group which brings together people of all ages who enjoy dancing classical ballet, studying technique and performing. The group began its life in Japan several years ago, 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. The group’s dancing is very much in the classical tradition, with a strong bias towards Russian technical schooling.