ENB's Nutcracker : nearly there.

By Cristina de Lucas, 13 December 2014

Loading, please wait...

See full listing

“It lacked a bit of nerve, but was still beautiful to watch.”

Reviewed at The London Coliseum, London on 11 December 2014

The Nutcracker (Marius Petipa, Wayne Eagling)

English National Ballet

Peter Farmer, Set Designer

David Richardson, Lighting Designer

Alina Cojocaru, Dancer

Alejandro Virelles, Dancer

Junor Souza, Dancer

Tamara Rojo, Dancer

Max Westwell, Dancer

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

More reviews...

Cristina de Lucas

After a career in the legal field where she combined her job as an Attorney at Law with collaborative roles in various local and international cultural enterprises, Cristina de Lucas turned to dance research and criticism in 2009, when she moved to London. She obtained her doctorate from the Department of Dance at the University of Roehampton (London). Her fully-funded thesis focused on the confluence between dance and narrative in the repertory of the British choreographer Kenneth MacMillan. Her research has received several awards, such a full Vice-Chancellor scholarship and the 2014 SDHS Graduate Student Travel Grant. She also reviews dance and cinema, contributing regularly to several publications in Spain and UK.

English National Ballet’s Nutcracker: nearly there.