April 2020

Posted on April 28, 2020

Editorial and contents April 2020

Who could have guessed, just a few weeks ago, how the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak would make such a huge impact on all our lives? As countries around the world deal with the effects of the pandemic, with some in total lock-down, performances, classes, and social gatherings of all kinds have been stopped. It’s a frightening and uncertain time for many of us, but its important we all stay safe and healthy, and work together to overcome the virus.

The articles in Dancing Times were commissioned in advance of the outbreak, but all of us at the magazine believe you will still want to read about the many aspects of dance covered this month. We are pleased to say, in nearly 110 years of history, that Dancing Times has never missed an issue, and we plan to continue to publish throughout the pandemic. Our world has been put on hold for the time being, but we believe it won’t be long before we will be able to enjoy dance once more.

JONATHAN GRAY

Dancing Times April 2020 Volume 110 Issue 1316

Cover Stories

16 – Climbing the mountain. Gerald Dowler talks to John Neumeier about his choreography

21 – National Dance Awards. Nicola Rayner reveals the 2020 winners

24 – Fashion’s muse. Jonathan Gray sees an exhibition celebrating the ballerina and fashion

35 – Anything you can do. Nicola Rayner hears from Kevin and Joanne Clifton about Burn the Floor

Features

28 – On Point. Eleanor Fitzgerald previews the Royal Academy of Dance’s centenary display

31 – A fond farewell. Alex Simpkins meets former English National Ballet dancer Dominic Hickie

39 – Getting seen. Margaret Willis goes behind the scenes at Grand Audition

43 – Cold War dances. Gerald Dowler concludes his look at Soviet Ballet

Dance Today

72 – Stand together, please. Alison Gallagher-Hughes meets Bryan Allen, retiring president of the British Dance Council

76 – Men in motion. Lee Knights hears from Latin dancer Andrew Cuerden

78 – Tips on technique. By James Whitehead

79 – Technique clinic. By Phil Meacham

80 – Simon’s Guide to Swing. By Simon Selmon

81 – Stepping Out. By Marianka Swain

82 – Notes from the dance floor. By Jack Reavely

Regulars

6 – News. Coronavirus forces the cancellation of dance shows around the world

13 – Letters

47 – Dance Scene. Reviews include The Royal Ballet, Mark Bruce Company, Richard Alston Dance Company, The Joffrey Ballet, National Ballet of Canada

63 – FRANCE/dance. By Laura Cappelle

65 – Letter from St Petersburg. By Igor Stupnikov

67 – Notes from New York. By Jack Anderson

69 – Variety Lights. By Barbara Newman

87 – Dancer of the Month. Margaret Willis interviews Rambert’s Salomé Pressac

91 – People. David Hallberg

92. Obituaries. Mikhail Berkut, María Jesús García Ze Bayarri, Roger Tully

95 – Media. New books and DVDs

97 – Products

98 – Education. Elmhurst Ballet Company

100 – Health. Debbie Malina looks at the subject of knees

103 – Classified

104 – Calendar. Our guide to what’s on this month in the UK and abroad

110 – Listings. Where to learn to dance

114 – Last Dance. We look back to April 1980

Simon Oliver

Simon Oliver has been production editor of Dancing Times since 2010 and is highly experienced in design across print and online magazine production. Throughout his career, Simon has worked on a diverse range of subjects including music, family history, book collecting and poker.