National Ballet of Japan: a breathtaking Beauty opens the season

National Ballet of Japan in the Prologue of Wayne Eagling's The Sleeping Beauty

Shun Izawa as the Prince, Haruka Sassa as Aurora in the Awakening pas de deux, The Sleeping Beauty

Shun Izawa as the Prince, Haruka Sassa as Aurora, the Wedding pas de deux, The Sleeping Beauty

National Ballet of Japan in Act 3 of Wayne Eagling's The Sleeping Beauty

By Naomi Mori, 29 October 2024

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“her entrance solo had spontaneous attack, floating leaps and precise footwork”

Reviewed at New National Theatre, Tokyo: Opera House, Tokyo on 25 October 2024

The Sleeping Beauty (arr. Gavin Sutherland) (Marius Petipa, Wayne Eagling)

National Ballet of Japan

Gavin Sutherland, Conductor

Misato Tomita, Conductor

Naoji Kawaguchi, Set Designer

Toer van Schayk, Costume Designer

Yuji Sawada, Lighting Designer

Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra

Yui Yonezawa, Dancer

Shun Izawa, Dancer

Haruka Sassa, Dancer

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

Mejia debuts in a sumptuous Sleeping Beauty at New York City Ballet

Carla Escoda, 12th February

Roman Mejia and a raft of soloist debuts galvanized Peter Martins' Sleeping Beauty. An elegant production with some incidental messiness and the structural liability of a princess' dependence on a kiss.

****1

Dutch National Ballet brings much needed heat to this winter season

Mark Vicente, 10th February

The Dutch National Ballet helped shake off those winter blues with a mixed programme that highlighted ballet’s love affair with Latin rhythms and movement.

****1

NYCB: Balanchine + Ratmansky program warms the audience

Ivy Lin, 20th January

NYCB has a winning triple bill with its Balanchine + Ratmansky program. Excellent dancing and contrasting works sends the audience home in buoyant mood.

*****

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Naomi Mori

Naomi is a blogger living in Tokyo and travels frequently to see ballet. She is a law graduate of Waseda University and a former film publicist, film critic and IT business researcher/strategist. She blogs at La Dolce Vita in Japanese. She tweets about ballet as @naomip_86. and takes ballet class regularly