Performer: Ben Duke

The Next Generation Festival at the Linbury presented Rambert School and the Junior Company of the Polish National Ballet in an evening of contrasting new works. 

Exceptional, witty performances combined with superb choreography and script make Ben Duke's take on the Medea myth unmissable.

This all-Duke programme punctuates choreography with comedy, which in turn merges with pathos. 

Rambert presents an excellent cohort of expressive dancers, but the programme lacked an overall wow factor.

Clever in its concept, witty in its development, precise in its interpretation, refreshingly universal and accessible.

Choreographer Ben Duke offers a candid glimpse of Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers if they had survived the gauntlet of death draughts and daggers.

Liam Francis talks openly about creating a new dance company, finding his choreographic voice, successes and insecurities, and a circuitous route to securing a life in dance.