Kiss me, Katya: Bolshoi's Shrew a slinky, sexy delight

By Mark Pullinger, 04 August 2016

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“a liberal squeeze of lemon which demonstrates that this company... can produce tangy new work”

Reviewed at Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London on 3 August 2016

The Taming of the Shrew (Jean-Christophe Maillot)

Bolshoi Ballet

Igor Dronov, Conductor

Ernest Pignon-Ernest, Set Designer

Augustin Maillot, Costume Designer

Ekaterina Krysanova, Dancer

Vladislav Lantratov, Dancer

Olga Smirnova, Dancer

Semyon Chudin, Dancer

Artemy Belyakov, Dancer

Anna Tikhomirova, Dancer

Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra

Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo: Cendrillon through a psychological lens

Elsa Giovanna Simonetti, 15th February

A deeply psychological version of the fairytale, Jean-Christophe Maillot's Cendrillon provides ample opportunities for the whole cast to delve into their characters and rise to the technical challenges.

****1

World ballet stars and future talents at Ballet Nights’ Decadance

Vikki Jane Vile, 4th February

Ballet Nights is an ambitious dance project that began two and a half years ago and was the brainchild of founder, Jamiel Devernay-Laurence. Lots to applaud while celebrating its tenth programme.

****1

Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo’s Ma Bayadère is a stunning reinvention

Elsa Giovanna Simonetti, 27th December

Splendid and impeccable, endowed with striking virtuosity, the corps de ballet functions both as choir and living scenography, accompanying and sustaining the protagonists. Ma Bayadère in Monte-Carlo is spectacular.

****1

Exciting new talents at Ballett am Rhein in a versatile new programme

Vikki Jane Vile, 23rd March

After a more traditional direction from the new leadership of Ballett am Rhein in their season opener, new programme Kaleidoskop is a mixed selection that sees a fusion of contemporary and neoclassical choreography.

****1

Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo dazzle in a new triple bill

Deborah Weiss, 24th April

Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo presents three equally riveting ballets in a triple bill of abstract works from Christopher Wheeldon, Sharon Eyal/Gai Behar and Jean-Christophe Maillot.

****1

La Belle: Monte-Carlo's response to a classical Beauty is magical

Deborah Weiss, 28th April

Full of invention and originality, this up-to-date version of The Sleeping Beauty is entertaining and emotionally absorbing.

****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.