Dance Theatre of Harlem pushes the boundaries of ballet

Dance Theatre of Harlem in Robert Garland's Higher Ground

Luis Fernando Rego in Robert Garland's Higher Ground

Dance Theatre of Harlem in George Balanchine's Allegro Brilliante

David Wright and Alexandra Hutchinson in William Forsythe's Blake Works IV

By Gillian Ebersole, 24 August 2024

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“fluid spines, undulating limbs, and long lines to perform barre work like you’ve never seen before”

Reviewed at Ted Shawn Theatre, Becket on 24 August 2024

Higher Ground (Robert Garland)

Take Me With You (Robert Bondara)

Allegro Brillante (George Balanchine)

Blake Works IV (The Barre Project 2023) (William Forsythe)

Dance Theatre of Harlem

Mira Nadon’s sparkling debut in Firebird with New York City Ballet

Ivy Lin, 25th April

A triple bill comprising Balanchine's Symphony in C, Agon and Firebird could not have been more inspiringly danced by New York City Ballet.

*****

Ballet for cowboys and soldiers at Kansas City Ballet

Hilary Stroh, 20th March

Kansas City Ballet celebrate the USA’s 250th anniversary with three American ballets. Balanchine's Stars and Stripes, de Mille's Rodeo and a new work by Caili Quan, A Home Away.

****1

American Ballet Theatre's double bill is short and sweet in New York

Ivy Lin, 15th March

American Ballet Theatre presents Balanchine's Raymonda: Grand Pas Hongrois and Ratmansky's Firebird which showcases the company well and provides a strong contrast.

****1

A spectacular triple bill lifts ABT’s spring season in New York

Leigh Donlan, 13th March

A finely curated triple bill from American Ballet Theatre included works from Balanchine, Jiří Kylián and Alexei Ratmansky.

****1

Understatement and spectacle at New York City Ballet

Carla Escoda, 26th February

Jerome Robbins' Dances at a Gathering and George Balanchine's Diamonds make a study in contrasts. With lots of debuts in the former and seasoned leads in the latter.

*****

Fast Forward: Hamburg Ballet’s mixed bill proves a mixed success

Vikki Jane Vile, 22nd February

All that glistens... the world premiere of Xie Xin’s The Moon in the Ocean is the highlight of a mixed bill programme spanning 90 years of choreography.

***11

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Gillian Ebersole

Gillian Ebersole is a dancer and choreographer, as well as a poet, dance writer and educator. Gillian graduated Summa Cum Laude from Loyola Marymount University with a dual degree in Dance and English. Their first poetry book The Water Between Us received the Charlotte Mew Prize and was published by Headmistress Press in 2021. Gillian lives and creates in Berkshire County with their partner.