A breath of fresh air and an eye-opener for audiences!

Haruna Nakajima and Shogo Hayami in A Million Kisses to my Skin

Alina Cojocaru and Alexandr Trusch in Don Juan

Yasmine Naghdi and Matthew Ball in The Sleeping Beauty

Ayako Ono and Shun Izawa in Symphony in C

By Naomi Mori, 20 January 2023

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“Precise technique and musicality, warmth, alongside good partnering skills were very attractive”

Reviewed at New National Theatre, Tokyo: Opera House, Tokyo on 13 January 2023

A Million Kisses to my Skin (Company premiere) (David Dawson)

Symphony in C (Le Palais de Cristal) (George Balanchine)

National Ballet of Japan

Paul Murphy, Conductor

David Dawson, Set Designer

Yumiko Takeshima, Costume Designer

Bert Dalhuysen, Lighting Designer

Tokyo Symphony Orchestra

Masako Ooi, Costume Designer

Mutsumi Isono, Lighting Designer

Yui Yonezawa, Dancer

Ayako Ono, Dancer

Yasmine Naghdi, Dancer

Matthew Ball, Dancer

Alina Cojocaru, Dancer

Alexandr Trusch, Dancer

Yudai Fukuoka, Dancer

NBJ's Ballet Coffret is a feast of modern classics

Naomi Mori, 5th February

National Ballet of Japan's Ballet Coffret showcased the versatility of the company with modern classical works including Dawson's A Million Kisses to my Skin, van Manen's 5 Tangos and Balanchine's Theme and Variations.

****1

ENB: R:Evolution showcases tenacity, legacy and talent

Deborah Weiss, 1st October

English National Ballet opens its season at Sadler’s Wells with a quadruple bill showcasing the versatility, virtuosity and endless capabilities of the company throughout the ranks.

****1

Ballet Nights makes an impressive and unforgettable Scottish debut

Kathy Elgin, 4th July

Ballet Nights is more than an evening of party pieces: it showcases emerging talent alongside older favourites and, in the case of this first Scottish outing, has an eye to local tradition.

****1

Ballett am Rhein are unrecognisable in season opener

Vikki Jane Vile, 27th October

It’s all change at the Ballett am Rhein with new Chief Choreographer, Bridget Breiner, and Ballet Director, Raphaël Coumes-Marquet taking over from Demis Volpi for the 24/25 season.

****1

Scottish Ballet: David Dawson's Swan Lake is supremely moving

Kathy Elgin, 4th April

Dawson’s stripped-down production throws the impetus immediately on his choreography, whilst keeping the bones of the story clearly in sight.

****1

Fearless and captivating, Dancing Dutch is a romp of a programme

Vikki Jane Vile, 31st March

Dancing Dutch for Dutch National Ballet comprises four different works, not all by Dutch choreographers, which show off the depth and breadth of a company in great shape.

****1

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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

Guests and A Million Kisses to My Skin add sparkle to National Ballet of Japan's New Year Ballet