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SF Ballet’s world premiere of Mere Mortals explores the Pandora myth, AI, in sensory extravaganza

San Francisco Ballet in Aszure Barton and Sam Shepherd's Mere Mortals
© Chris Hardy
Wei Wang in Aszure Barton and Sam Shepherd's Mere Mortals
© Chris Hardy
Jennifer Stahl in Aszure Barton and Sam Shepherd's Mere Mortals
© Chris Hardy
Isaac Hernández in Aszure Barton and Sam Shepherd's Mere Mortals
© Chris Hardy
Parker Garrison in Aszure Barton and Sam Shepherd's Mere Mortals
© Chris Hardy
San Francisco Ballet in Aszure Barton and Sam Shepherd's Mere Mortals
© Chris Hardy
By Terez Rose, 28 January 2024
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“thus echoing Pandora’s fateful curiosity, I ripped open the packet that I’d been warned not to open”
Reviewed at War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco on 26 January 2024
Programme
Mere Mortals (World Premiere) (Aszure Barton)
Performers
San Francisco Ballet
Hamill Industries, Set Designer
Michelle Jank, Costume Designer
Jim French, Lighting Designer
San Francisco Ballet Orchestra
Jennifer Stahl, Dancer
Isaac Hernández, Dancer
Wei Wang, Dancer
Parker Garrison, Dancer
More Dance reviews
Exhibitions of style: Hubbard Street Dance returns to New York
Carla Escoda, 31st March

Aszure Barton, Matthew Rushing, Bob Fosse and James Gregg make for an eclectic and mostly intriguing night with Chicago's Hubbard Street Dance at New York's Joyce Theatre.

****1
The timeless and the new at Limón Dance
Carla Escoda, 21st May
Doris Humphrey and José Limón inspired a world premiere from Aszure Barton for the Limón Dance Company at New York City's storied 92nd Street Y.
****1
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago on the road, dancing impeccably
Carla Escoda, 25th March
A mixed bill with mixed results from Hubbard Street Dance Chicago at the Joyce Theater in New York.
***11
Slow Burn marks a new era for Hamburg Ballet
Vikki Jane Vile, 10th January
The rather imposing proposition of taking over the reigns from John Neumeier has fallen to Demis Volpi, who has brought fresh and explosive pieces into the repertoire at Hamburg.
***11
Arresting: Aszure Barton restages Come In for Ballett am Rhein
Graham Watts, 18th June
Ballett am Rhein's reputation continues to grow under Demis Volpi with a restaging of Aszure Barton's 2006 creation for Mikhail Baryshnikov during her residency for his Hell’s Kitchen Dance. 
***11
Forsythe’s Playlist tops ENB's Voices of America
Erin Whitcroft, 12th April
Forsythe’s choreography allows ENB's male corps to display their virtuoso skill in its mixed programme at Sadler's Wells.
****1
More reviews...
Read reviews of
Aszure BartonIsaac HernándezJennifer StahlJim FrenchSam Shepherd (Floating Points)San Francisco BalletSan Francisco Ballet OrchestraWei Wang
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Terez Rose
Terez Rose

Terez Rose is a writer and former dancer whose work has appeared in numerous journals, anthologies and online publications. She is the author (as Terez Mertes Rose) of the Ballet Theatre Chronicles (Off Balance, Outside the Limelight, Ballet Orphans, Other Stages) and A Dancer’s Guide to Africa. Visit her at The Classical Girl where she blogs about classical music and the performing arts.