Work: Le Jeune homme et la mort

Five vital young men from top international ballet companies hit the stage of the 
London Coliseum in Kings of the Dance.

For their second show in the London Coliseum this year, English National Ballet has presented the first programme entirely designed by its new artistic director Tamara Rojo. In the line of her vision of enriching the company’s repertory with new works, while at the same time honouring the classics, the triple bill built for the occasion is a fascinating combination of old and recent masterpieces.

It was one of those ‘I was there’ moments that will be remembered always by a lucky few. Ivan Vasiliev’s single guest performance with English National Ballet in Le Jeune Homme et le Mort was one of startling brilliance, of great power and heartfelt emotion for his purpose in performing was to offer his own personal tribute to the late Roland Petit.