Birmingham Royal Ballet delights audience

4:24pm Friday 2nd May 2008

Birmingham Royal Ballet's visit to Cheltenham this week was a real coup for the Everyman theatre, and a delight for all who managed to see it.

The triple bill opened with Dante Sonata- Frederick Ashton's ensemble piece inspired by The Inferno, set to Liszt's dramatic piano score (itself also indirectly inspired by Dante's work).

The dancers embraced the contemporary steps and their bare feet gave them complete freedom to become the tortured souls of this impassioned piece.

Stage size did somewhat restrict their movement, but the basic costumes, simple set and neat footwork, prevented the work from becoming a frenzied confusion.

Small Words- with choreography from current BRB dancer Kit Holder, to music by Stravinsky- worked better on the Everyman stage.

The six dancers moved across the stage in a marble-effect (the work is inspired by Kadinsky paintings) and expert lighting by Peter Teigen, further enhanced the abstract work.

The real highlight- and most anticipated- part of the evening, came in the third section with Macmillan's Elite Syncopations.

The audience was wowed when the curtains opened to reveal a kaleidescope of colour and sparkle, with both dancers and orchestra on stage in the most eccelectic and vibrant costumes.

With music by Joplin, the autitorium was overwhelmed by ragtime joy as we were treated to solo, duet, and small group entries- each one a delight, with the whole company showing a surprising aptitude for comedy.

Special mention must go to Celine Gittens, whose delightful, exotic stage prescence was enchanting, particularly when paired with the hilarious Kosuke Yamamoto (who literally had the audience laughing out loud).

Young Joseph Caly must also get a mention. Like his programme entry (in which he wears an England football shirt), this boy stands out- his exuberance was truly uplifting, and his natural laddish charm shone through as he bounded across the stage.

Another English dancer- Laura Purkiss- must also be recommended, firstly for her part in Small World- her sylph-like moves perfectly suiting the dream-like piece, and then for her cartoonish comedy in The Golden Hours.

Catch BRB next at Northcott Theatre, Exeter, from Tuesday, May 6.