NNB rises to the challenges of Nureyev’s Don Quixote

Simon Regourd as Espada with Norwegian National Ballet in Don Quixote

Alex Cuadros Joglar as Basilio and Whitney Jensen as Kitri in Don Quixote

Joakim Visnes with Norwegian National Ballet in Don Quixote

Ole Willy Falkhaugen as Don Quixote and Niklas Gundersen as Sancho Panza in Don Quixote

Alex Cuadros Joglar and Whitney Jensen with Norwegian National Ballet in Don Quixote

By Maggie Foyer, 10 February 2025

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“Particularly good was her Act 1 solo from a fiery entrance, a diagonal of stiletto sharp pointes”

Reviewed at Oslo Opera House, Main Stage, Oslo on 7 February 2025

Don Quixote (Marius Petipa, Rudolf Nureyev)

Norwegian National Ballet

Kevin Rhodes, Conductor

Sandra Woodall, Set Designer, Costume Designer

Paul Vidar Sævarang, Lighting Designer

Norwegian National Opera Orchestra

Whitney Jensen, Dancer

Alex Cuadros Joglar, Dancer

Erik Murzagaliyev, Dancer

Ole Willy Falkhaugen, Dancer

Anaïs Touret, Dancer

Joakim Visnes, Dancer

National Ballet of Japan’s Raymonda is a feast of excellent dancing

Naomi Mori, 25th April

National Ballet of Japan’s Raymonda is a gem in the repertoire, despite shortcomings in the plot. Lavish production designs, stunning classical choreography and excellent dancers makes this a ballet lover's heaven.

*****

Acosta's Don Quixote for BRB: polished but not quite enough panache

Jonathan Gray, 23rd April

Carlos Acosta's Don Quixote for Birmingham Royal Ballet returned to Sadler's Wells with polished but low-key interpretations across the board.

***11

Natalia Makarova's La Bayadère: a night to remember in Oslo

Vikki Jane Vile, 17th April

Norwegian National Ballet gives a marvellous rendition of Natalia Makarova's La Bayadère. Opening night in Oslo was a strong argument for its place in any season, displaying ballet escapism at its best.

****1

José Martínez unveils his latest Don Quichotte in Palermo

Vito Lentini, 29th March

José Martínez has envisioned a Don Quichotte that recalls the original 19th century choreography while also acknowledging some of the notable 20th century versions and it's splendid looking.

****1

Dutch National Ballet's reimagined La Bayadère triumphs

Mark Vicente, 26th March

Dutch National Ballet's new production of La Bayadère does away with the ballet’s problematic gestures and movements, allowing the choreography to truly shine.

****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

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Maggie Foyer

Maggie Foyer danced with PACT, the State Ballet Company in Johannesburg and Kinetika Contemporary Dance in South Africa. After graduating from the R.A.D., she taught at the Central School of Ballet in London and the Royal Swedish Ballet School. She has MA degrees in Education and Literature and is an associate lecturer in Humanities at the Open University. She has written for Dance Europe, The Dancing Times, Dance Magazine, Danza International, various dance websites and has contributed programme notes for companies including The Royal Ballet and Dutch National Ballet. She is a member of the Critics’ Circle and the National Dance Awards Committee.