Encounters: The Royal Ballet at its versatile best

Liam Boswell in Kyle Abraham's The Weathering

Melissa Hamilton and Lukas B. Brændsrød in Kyle Abraham's The Weathering

William Bracewell in Pam Tanowitz's Or Forevermore

William Bracewell and Anna Rose O'Sullivan in Pam Tanowitz's Or Forevermore

Francisco Serrano and The Royal Ballet in Joseph Toonga's Dusk

Joseph Sissens, Calvin Richardson and Ashley Dean in Crystal Pite's The Statement

By Amanda Jennings, 23 October 2024

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“the whole piece was danced with intense commitment by an impressive cast, clearly loving the work”

Reviewed at Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London on 22 October 2024

The Weathering (Kyle Abraham)

Or Forevermore (Pam Tanowitz)

Dusk (Joseph Toonga)

The Statement (Crystal Pite)

The Royal Ballet

Geoffrey Paterson, Conductor

Jay Gower Taylor, Set Designer

Joke Visser, Costume Designer

Tom Visser, Lighting Designer

Orchestra of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden

Simon Bennison, Lighting Designer

Harriet Jung, Costume Designer

Reid Bartelme, Costume Designer

Jessica Xavier, Costume Designer

Dan Scully, Lighting Designer

Melissa Hamilton, Dancer

Lukas B Brændsrød, Dancer

Joshua Junker, Dancer

Liam Boswell, Dancer

Anna Rose O'Sullivan, Dancer

William Bracewell, Dancer

Calvin Richardson, Dancer

Ashley Dean, Dancer

Kristen McNally, Dancer

Joseph Sissens, Dancer

Pop goes postmodern: Kyle Abraham's Cassette Vol. 1 in New York

Carla Escoda, 16th April

A.I.M by Kyle Abraham with guest artist Taylor Stanley bring a postmodern vibe to an early MTV-era playlist. One of the most bewitching things you're likely to encounter this year.

*****

Falling for Kyle Abraham, again, at New York City Ballet

Carla Escoda, 16th May

When We Fell, Kyle Abraham’s bracing new piece for NYCB, made a minimalist statement on a maximalist quadruple bill, also notable for stunning ensemble work in Alexei Ratmansky's Odesa.

****1

Abraham's 2x4 is a bright spot in an uneven program

Ivy Lin, 22nd April

A.I.M by Kyle Abraham at the Joyce Theater proved to be a mixed offering with his own piece, 2x4, coming off best.

***11

Kyle Abraham’s An Untitled Love: a stunning piece of dance theatre

Amanda Jennings, 29th January

An Untitled Love is a brilliant piece of theatre centred on inventive, creative dance that enthrals and amuses whilst conveying several serious messages.

*****

American Ballet Theatre: Kyle Abraham's Mercurial Son disappoints

Ivy Lin, 16th October

Bond’s La Boutique was delightful, Abraham’s Mercurial Son, a little disappointing but Lander's Études sent the audience home happy.

****1

Love Letter (on shuffle) anchors eclectic NYCB program

Ivy Lin, 15th May

Love Letter (on shuffle) is like a Taylor Swift Track 5. Full of romance and longing, and it makes its emotional impact every time.

****1

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Amanda Jennings

Amanda wrote for Dance Europe for twelve years and has also written for Dance Australia and Dance International. She trained at Arts Educational and with David Howard, Melissa Hayden, Patricia Wilde and Valentina Pereyaslavec in New York. She danced for two years with New Jersey Ballet, and in the UK with Vienna Festival Ballet and Vyvyan Lorrayne’s London’s Imperial Ballet. Her freelance career included work with the Royal Opera, ENO, film, television and modelling. She was in the original cast of On Your Toes with Natalia Makarova. Amanda also taught extensively and holds the diploma of the PDTC at the RAD with Distinction.