Vienna Festival Ballet’s production Snow White is lively, entertaining and fun. Presented in the manner of a traditional nineteenth century ballet, albeit on a small scale, the work features a ballroom scene (with show-piece tarantella), a nod towards a vision scene with a corps de ballet of nymphs and birds, and a grand pas de deux in the second act. The musical score, arranged by Alan Lisk from works by Samuel Alexander Faris and Charles-François Gounod abounds in danceable tunes, and the costumes were delightfully colourful. (more…)
April 11, 2016
Snow White – balletLORENT at Oxford Playhouse 8th April 2016 – Susannah Harris-Wilson reviews
Posted by susiecrow under reviews | Tags: balletLORENT, Brothers Grimm, Carol Ann Duffy, Caroline Reece, Gavin Coward, Gwen Berwick, Lindsay Duncan, Liv Lorent, Murray Gold, Natalie Trewinnard, Snow White, Susannah Harris-Wilson |Leave a Comment
There are many estimable things about balletLORENT and its goals: a company committed to training young people, even children, in the art of theatre and dance movement; a company of dedicated actors/dancers, some of whom have been members for ten or more years; innovative in commissioning work from other fields within the arts – poets and actors and musicians; able to appreciate the on-going relevance of literary works like fairy tales and the eternal commentary they make on our human condition. These are reasons to admire the company and their undertaking to express through dance what is very often verbally inexpressible.
Till recent film versions, the story of Snow White has found little new expression in art forms since Walt Disney’s 1950s animation. This is a pity. A musical, opera, or ballet would do well to pick up this tale and explore its themes – particularly the knotty relationship that exists between a mother and her daughter or between any older woman and a young woman who is outstripping her with youthful energies, promise, attractiveness. There is also the problem of privilege enjoyed by some women until it becomes exploitative when power is added to that privilege. As with all fairy tales, there are innumerable themes woven together under the delightful magic of storytelling. (more…)
April 1, 2016
balletLORENT in Snow White at Oxford Playhouse, 8th-9th April 2016
Posted by susiecrow under What's happening | Tags: balletLORENT, Brothers Grimm, Carol Ann Duffy, dance theatre, Libby Everall, Lindsay Duncan, Liv Lorent, Malcolm Rippeth, Murray Gold, Oxford Playhouse, Phil Eddolls, Snow White |Leave a Comment
Oxford Playhouse welcomes balletLORENT’s dance theatre adaptation of the well-loved Brother’s Grimm fairytale Snow White. Known for their fantastical and visually stunning productions, leading UK dance company balletLORENT present this new work charged with emotion through haunting music and exquisite storytelling. Reimagined through dance and music, Director and Choreographer Liv Lorent brings to life Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy’s masterful writing creating a visually powerful performance.
A mirror names, and ultimately curses, a beautiful young woman, ‘the fairest of them all’, throwing her mother into a jealous rage. Fleeing from those set to capture her, Snow White stumbles across seven miners deep in the forest, hoping to forge a new life away from fear. A captivating tale with all the classic elements: red apples, magical mirrors and the Evil Queen. (more…)
January 8, 2015
Snow White on Ice: Russian Ice Stars at New Theatre Oxford 8th-11th January 2015
Posted by susiecrow under What's happening | Tags: ice dancing, Julian Delplidge, New Theatre Oxford, Russian Ice Stars, Rustie Lee, Snow White |1 Comment
A final holiday treat to close the festive season and start the new year, and a great opportunity to see top Russian ice dancers in what has been described as “ballet on ice”. Oxford’s New Theatre converts its stage to an ice rink for the world famous Russian Ice Stars who will take you on a magical journey to the heart of one of the best loved fairytales of all time, Snow White. The original story of an enchanted mirror, a beautiful girl, the ultimate Prince Charming and a shiny red apple comes to life on ice, with ballet, gymnastics and aerial acrobatics to create a breathtaking and mesmerising experience. This spell-binding show promises to be both lavish and spectacular, dazzling with its sheer beauty and elegance that will thrill the whole family. Starring Rustie Lee as Fairy News Reporter.
Venue: New Theatre, George Street, Oxford OX1 2AG
Performances: Thursday 8th January 7.30pm, Friday 9th 7.30pm, Saturay 10th 2.30pm and 7.30pm, Sunday 11th 3.00pm
Book tickets online here or by phone here: 0844 871 3020
Read David Bellan’s interview with show producer Julian Delplidge for the Oxford Times here
Oxford Dance Writers 