An outstanding performance by Francesca Hayward

By Graham Watts, 01 April 2018

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“Every role that Hayward touches turns to gold”

Reviewed at Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London on 29 March 2018

Manon (Sir Kenneth MacMillan)

The Royal Ballet

Martin Yates, Conductor

Nicholas Georgiadis, Set Designer

Orchestra of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden

Francesca Hayward, Dancer

Matthew Ball, Dancer

Federico Bonelli, Dancer

Claire Calvert, Dancer

Gary Avis, Dancer

Christopher Saunders, Dancer

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In this latest revival of Kenneth MacMillan’s Mayerling, The Royal Ballet presents a roster of powerful and vivid interpretations across the board.

****1

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Naomi Mori, 19th March

National Ballet of Japan in Kenneth MacMillan’s Manon has been revived six years after its performances were cancelled because of the pandemic. Exceptionally good interpretations led the opening night performance.

****1

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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.

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ENB’s The Sleeping Beauty: disappointing cuts skew the story

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English National Ballet's revival of the Tchaikovsky classic The Sleeping Beauty, disappoints at the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton.

***11

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Ballet Nights – Spring Into Summer a fascinating hotchpotch of dance

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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.

Francesca Hayward shines in The Royal Ballet's revival of Manon