Theme and Variations / Études opens in Budapest

By Graham Watts, 20 November 2017

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“one must applaud the ... the overall magnificence of the corps de ballet across both works”

Reviewed at Müpa: Festival Theatre, Budapest on 17 November 2017

Études (Harald Lander)

Theme and Variations (George Balanchine)

Hungarian National Ballet

Hungarian State Opera

Lea Földi, Dancer

Zoltán Oláh, Dancer

Karina Sarkissova, Dancer

Gergö Ármin Balázsi, Dancer

Gergely Leblanc, Dancer

National Ballet of Japan’s new triple bill is full of bold challenges

Naomi Mori, 15th March

While National Ballet of Japan’s latest triple bill presents many challenges, one hopes these valuable masterpieces will be revived, enabling the company to develop its virtuosity and artistry.

****1

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

Études/Circle Electric: The Australian Ballet in contrasting works

Katie Lawrence, 4th May

The Australian Ballet presents a diverse double bill of contemporary and classical dance, including its first major work from choreographer in residence Stephanie Lake. Unfortunately, only the classical piece exhilarates.

***11

He's not nice, he's amazing: ABT's Fall season opener

Ivy Lin, 18th October

A strong opening to ABT’s fall season, the company often seemed stagnant in the last years of Kevin McKenzie’s directorship. It is now more exciting. New leadership, new faces.

****1

Opéra de Paris pays vibrant tribute to Patrick Dupond

Laurine Mortha, 23rd February

Two years after the death of Patrick Dupond, the Paris Opera Ballet paid tribute to him in a sumptuous gala evening, with the procession of the Ballet’s stars and the the performance of three of Dupond’s most emblematic works.

*****

Philosophy amid movement in San Francisco Ballet’s Dance Innovations

Terez Rose, 13th February

The ballet culminates with fouettés, bravura leaps from the oversized ensemble and a rousing finish with all 44 dancers onstage. It was an exuberant end to an intelligent, satisfying production, both of thought and movement.

****1

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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.

Classic 47˚N19˚E: Theme and Variations / Études opens in Budapest