Confusion in the chocolate box

By Mark Pullinger, 15 December 2016

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“rescued by some fine dancing, particularly Summerscales’ perky Clara”

Reviewed at The London Coliseum, London on 14 December 2016

The Nutcracker (Marius Petipa, Lev Ivanov, Wayne Eagling)

English National Ballet

Gavin Sutherland, Conductor

Peter Farmer, Set Designer, Costume Designer

David Richardson, Lighting Designer

Laurretta Summerscales, Dancer

Emilio Pavan, Dancer

Junor Souza, Dancer

Adela Ramirez, Dancer

Crystal Costa, Dancer

Bufalá Fernando, Dancer

Rina Kanehara, Dancer

Ken Saruhashi, Dancer

James Streeter, Dancer

English National Ballet Philharmonic

Students from Tring Park School for the Performing Arts

Natalia Makarova's La Bayadère: a night to remember in Oslo

Vikki Jane Vile, 17th April

Norwegian National Ballet gives a marvellous rendition of Natalia Makarova's La Bayadère. Opening night in Oslo was a strong argument for its place in any season, displaying ballet escapism at its best.

****1

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

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Mark Pullinger

Mark has been a Bachtrack editor since 2014. He is also an experienced critic, writing hundreds of reviews for the site, as well as a freelancer writing for other magazines and newspapers. He also writes programme notes and blogs on Substack. Mark has a particular passion for the operas of Verdi as well as Russian and French repertoire. Outside the concert hall and opera house, Mark enjoys cooking and travel and is probably at his happiest let loose in a French patisserie or a Viennese coffee house.

Confusion in the chocolate box: a return for Wayne Eagling’s Nutcracker at ENB