Q: What would happen if real life ballet dancers dance to the music we regularly enjoy at modern jive dance venues?
Well, I found out at an entertaining night out at the Peacock Theatre in Holborn a week or so ago.
Ballet Revolución - a Cuba ballet company were in town for a two week run under the auspices of Sadler's Wells. They had enjoyed success last year and so the two week run was eagerly awaited though it was my first time in front of a proper ballet ensemble.
In truth this was ballet-lite - classical ballet did figure in the first half and mightily impressive it looked. The remainder was a mix of dance styles and stylistic centre was the troop's response to the music of the company's homeland. A Cuban sound applied by the live band to popular tracks by Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé, Ricky Martin and the like - some already betraying latin roots but not all. There was some pre-recorded music too and in the first half a long instrumental track of heavy rhythm allowed the dancers to show many talents to a soundtrack which might have been termed 'contemporary classical'.
Unlike classical ballet there was no story, not a hint of the dancer's adopting different personae or acting out. There was a good deal of showing off - which was pleasing.
Moisés León Noriega's solo in just his trunks was a workout for everybody in the audience as well as this athletic, poised and imperious dancer - the young ladies behind me breathing deeper with each anatomy revealing lunge. The whole audience was shocked by Wuilleys Estacholi Silveira standing leap into a horizontal catch by a trio of dancers behind him!
Amongst the women Jenny Sosa Martinez provided a welcome balance to the male dominance.
There was concentrated beauty too: when two pairs danced on around and under chair on opposite sides of the stage, they mirrored each other in a sensuous dance as one. It was intense and beautifully and intimately choreographed - or sculpted - either would apply.
There were some quirky humorous touches too: overall expression & personality shone through - it wasn't just about prodigious dance gifts - though there were lots on show too. I think my companion and I were drawn to this kind of expression. The prodigious dance gifts are way beyond me but the evening did reinforce the importance of projecting one's self - and that is a goal I'll continue to work on.
But even amongst our friends who are competition dancers - this is all very different. When you see a choreographed stage show with a troop of 20 or so professional dancers, drilled with precision revealing true artistry.
That said it wasn't Swan Lake but I'm very grateful for doing without Tchaikovsky's music...
Q: How do they dance to the kind of music we dance to at modern jive?
A: They are just amazing - precise, alert, toned, flexible, erotic, exotic, multi-talented, inexhaustible, funny, daring and entertaining
Well, I found out at an entertaining night out at the Peacock Theatre in Holborn a week or so ago.
Ballet Revolución - a Cuba ballet company were in town for a two week run under the auspices of Sadler's Wells. They had enjoyed success last year and so the two week run was eagerly awaited though it was my first time in front of a proper ballet ensemble.
In truth this was ballet-lite - classical ballet did figure in the first half and mightily impressive it looked. The remainder was a mix of dance styles and stylistic centre was the troop's response to the music of the company's homeland. A Cuban sound applied by the live band to popular tracks by Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé, Ricky Martin and the like - some already betraying latin roots but not all. There was some pre-recorded music too and in the first half a long instrumental track of heavy rhythm allowed the dancers to show many talents to a soundtrack which might have been termed 'contemporary classical'.
Unlike classical ballet there was no story, not a hint of the dancer's adopting different personae or acting out. There was a good deal of showing off - which was pleasing.
Moisés León Noriega's solo in just his trunks was a workout for everybody in the audience as well as this athletic, poised and imperious dancer - the young ladies behind me breathing deeper with each anatomy revealing lunge. The whole audience was shocked by Wuilleys Estacholi Silveira standing leap into a horizontal catch by a trio of dancers behind him!
Amongst the women Jenny Sosa Martinez provided a welcome balance to the male dominance.
The routines contained nothing too complicated - great dancers showing immense talents (amongst other things). Audience loved it - squeals of delight, gasps of wonder and a certain glow about some of the audience swooning at the kind of bodies which make you face full-on the muscular, sinewed heart of darkness.
There was concentrated beauty too: when two pairs danced on around and under chair on opposite sides of the stage, they mirrored each other in a sensuous dance as one. It was intense and beautifully and intimately choreographed - or sculpted - either would apply.
There were some quirky humorous touches too: overall expression & personality shone through - it wasn't just about prodigious dance gifts - though there were lots on show too. I think my companion and I were drawn to this kind of expression. The prodigious dance gifts are way beyond me but the evening did reinforce the importance of projecting one's self - and that is a goal I'll continue to work on.
But even amongst our friends who are competition dancers - this is all very different. When you see a choreographed stage show with a troop of 20 or so professional dancers, drilled with precision revealing true artistry.
That said it wasn't Swan Lake but I'm very grateful for doing without Tchaikovsky's music...
Q: How do they dance to the kind of music we dance to at modern jive?
A: They are just amazing - precise, alert, toned, flexible, erotic, exotic, multi-talented, inexhaustible, funny, daring and entertaining
Comments
Post a Comment