April 2013

Posted on April 26, 2013

In this month’s issue of Dancing Times, we have no fewer than four artistic directors offering their opinions! In Talking Point, Cathy Marston, director of Bern Ballett, explores some of the themes discussed at DanceEast’s recent Rural Retreat for dance directors. On page 15, Michael Crabb talks to Karen Kain, artistic director of National Ballet of Canada, in advance of the company’s first visit to the UK in over a quarter of a century; Liv Lorent, director of balletLORENT, discusses with Kevin Berry on page 25 the history of her company based at Dance City in Newcastle-upon-Tyne; and on page 22 Kevin O’Hare reveals to Zoë Anderson his plans for The Royal Ballet’s 2013–14 season and further ahead.

Finally, one of the most heart-warming stories in this month’s issue is Igor Stupnikov’s Letter from St Petersburg, in which he informs us of British dancer Xander Parish’s triumph in his debut as Albrecht in Giselle at the Maryinsky Theatre. Dancing Times extends its congratulations to Parish, but reflects sadly on the fact that he is another example of a UK-born and trained dancer who has had to find success abroad. As in the song immortalised by Judy Garland, he is “The Man That Got Away”.

Jonathan Gray, Editor

Features

15 The Canadian contingent. Michael Crabb introduces National Ballet of Canada on its return to London after a 26-year absence

19 A focus on style: the schools that inspired De Valois. In the fourth of a six-part series, Patricia Linton looks at the
Russian school of ballet

22 A framework for the future. Zoë Anderson talks to artistic director Kevin O’Hare about his plans for The Royal Ballet

25 Built on love. Kevin Berry finds out why people like to “stay put” with balletLORENT

37 The many faces of Robert Helpmann. Anna Meadmore introduces a conference to be held at The Royal Ballet School in October 2013

38 A dancer behind the lens. Photographs from a new book by The Royal Ballet’s Andrej Uspenski

41 West Side Story. The conclusion of a two-part A Level Dance Study Aid by Dr Lorna Sanders

6 Dance Matters. Royal Ballet plans, Daria Klimentová book competition, Edinburgh 2013

10 Letters

13 Talking Point. Cathy Marston explores some of the themes discussed at DanceEast’s Rural Retreat for dance directors

29 Variety Lights. Barbara Newman on the London revival of A Chorus Line, plus Dear World

31 Dance Health. Debbie Malina explores the subject of stress and how to cope with it

45 Dance Scene. Reviews this month include : Birmingham Royal Ballet, The Royal Ballet, Northern Ballet, and New York City Ballet

63 Letter from St Petersburg. Igor Stupnikov sees an Englishman triumph in Giselle

65 Dance Media. New books and DVDs

67 Dance People. ENB Emerging Dancer, Nadia Nerina

69 Obituaries. Matt Mattox, Phrosso Pfister, Sharon Sapienza, Noreen Sopwith

72 Dance Education. IDTC Conference, Tanzolymp

75 Classifieds

76 Where to Learn

79 Calendar

85 Scottish Ballet’s Highland Fling. By Zoë Anderson

87 The Secret Garden. Zoë Anderson reveals a new work by London Children’s Ballet

88 Dancer of the month. Margaret Willis meets The Royal Ballet’s Meaghan Grace Hinkis

90 Your Page

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.