Polish National Ballet shines in a Beethoven triple bill

Polish National Ballet in Hans van Manen's Grosse Fuge

Mai Kageyama and Ryota Kitai in Ted Brandsen's Eroica Variations

Hannah Cho and Ryota Kitai in Toer van Schayk's Seventh Symphony

Polish National Ballet in Toer van Schayk's Seventh Symphony

By Graham Watts, 07 June 2023

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“an appreciation of the mix of pure dance and extraordinary music was palpable”

Reviewed at Teatr Wielki: Moniuszko Hall, Warsaw on 2 June 2023

Grosse Fuge (Hans van Manen)

Eroica Variations (World premiere) (Ted Brandsen)

Symphony no. 7 (Toer van Schayk)

Polish National Ballet

Alexei Baklan, Conductor

Rachel Beaujean, Director

Jean-Paul Vroom, Set Designer

Hans van Manen, Costume Designer

Joop Caboort, Lighting Designer

Orchestra of the Teatr Wielki

Jan Hofstra, Lighting Designer

Ted Brandsen, Set Designer

Toer van Schayk, Set Designer, Costume Designer

Piotr Salajczyk, Piano

The Dutch National Ballet’s Hans van Manen in Carré

Mark Vicente, 30th April

Dutch National Ballet give an exemplary account of a quadruple bill comprised of the late Hans van Manen’s works. It’s a wonderful tribute to the great master choreographer.

*****

Dutch National Ballet brings much needed heat to this winter season

Mark Vicente, 10th February

The Dutch National Ballet helped shake off those winter blues with a mixed programme that highlighted ballet’s love affair with Latin rhythms and movement.

****1

NBJ's Ballet Coffret is a feast of modern classics

Naomi Mori, 5th February

National Ballet of Japan's Ballet Coffret showcased the versatility of the company with modern classical works including Dawson's A Million Kisses to my Skin, van Manen's 5 Tangos and Balanchine's Theme and Variations.

****1

Ballet superstars in Frankfurt for a night to savour

Vikki Jane Vile, 30th November

For one night only, audiences in Frankfurt were treated to some world class ballet on the expansive stage of the Jahrhunderthalle.

****1

Dutch National Ballet's Program B is the A+ Program in New York

Ivy Lin, 21st November

Dutch National Ballet's second mixed bill at New York City Center ticked all the right boxes, showcasing the depth of talent across the whole company.

*****

Dutch National Ballet's opener in New York: meandering and unfocused

Ivy Lin, 20th November

Dutch National Ballet returning to New York after more than 40 years should have been thrilling. The opening program, whilst beautifully danced, was somewhat muted.

***11

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Graham Watts

Graham Watts is a freelance dance writer and critic writing regularly for Dancing Times, Dance Europe, Danza Europa, and many more publications. He regularly writes features for Sadler’s Wells, London Coliseum and La Scala. Chairman of the Dance Section of the Critics’ Circle in the United Kingdom and of the UK National Dance Awards he has interviewed many of the greatest names in dance including Maya Plisetskaya, Vladimir Vasiliev, Boris Eifman, Alexei Ratmansky, Andris Liepa, Sir Peter Wright, David Bintley and Dame Gillian Lynne. When not involved in dance Graham is a keen fencer, and has captained the British Sabre team.