August 2020

Posted on September 24, 2020

Yes, the headline on the front cover of this month’s Dancing Times is correct – dance really has been returning to the stage in several countries, although it hasn’t quite happened here in the UK just yet. As lockdowns are eased around the world, in Dance Scene International our critics report on performances that have taken place recently in Hong Kong, Germany and Switzerland. These are small steps back into some kind of new normality for the performing arts, so let’s hope this is the start of a trend and not a premature blip that will lead us straight back into lockdown.

There is also a focus on teaching in this month’s issue, as we hear from Susan Pilarre of the School of American Ballet, and Geraldine Morris, who has just made a film about Ninette de Valois’ 1947 teaching syllabus, as well as a number of ballroom, Latin American and partner dance teachers working in the UK. Dance studios are starting to open again here in the UK, although it’s far too early to say how effective the new government guidelines on teaching dance in classrooms, rather than online, will be.

Finally, Dancing Times was very pleased to receive such a positive response to our focus on Black Dancers Matter in last month’s magazine – it’s good to know our readers are keen to see greater diversity in the art form we love. We did, however, receive a negative response from someone writing under a false name, but that letter – as will all others written to us by racists – ended up in the dustbin, where it belonged. It is a reminder that the process of greater equality for all, in all walks of life, is only just beginning.

JONATHAN GRAY

Dancing Times, August 2020 Volume 110 Issue 1320

Cover stories

14. The human element
Maggie Foyer talks to South African dancer and choreographer Mthuthuzeli November

18. Dancing for Mr B
Gavin Larsen interviews Susan Pilarre of the School of American Ballet

23. Massed movement missed
Paul Arrowsmith on how the Olympics can be a showcase for performers and choreographers

36. Dance Scene International
Dance back on stage in Germany, Hong Kong and Switzerland

Features

27. Back to business?
Nicola Rayner hears from ballroom, Latin and other partner dance teachers and school owners about the reopening of dance studios

30. From ballerina to baroness… and beyond
Part two of Matthew Paluch’s interview with Deborah Bull

34. Dancing De Valois
Geraldine Morris on a new film that demonstrates Ninette de Valois’ 1947 teaching syllabus

Dance Today

44. Lord of the dance
Alison Gallagher-Hughes meets David Douglass

46. Tips on technique
By James Whitehead

47. Technique clinic
By Phil Meacham

48. Simon’s Guide to Swing
Simon Selmon remembers Lance Benishek

49. Stepping Out
Marianka Swain reports on same-sex classes in and post-lockdown

50. Somewhere in time
By Jack Reavely

Regulars

6. News
UK government bailout for the arts, Friedemann Vogel

10. Letters

12. Talking point
By Roanne Cox

39. FRANCE/dance
By Laura Cappelle

40. Letter from St Petersburg
Igor Stupnikov watches dance online

41. Notes from New York
Jack Anderson sees a new version of Anna Sokolow’s Rooms

51. Subscriptions

53. Dancer of the Month
Margaret Willis interviews Scottish Ballet’s Grace Horler

57. Obituaries
Sally Banes, Nikolai Fadeyechev

59. Products

61. Education
90th birthday celebrations for bbodance

62. Fur and feathers
Debbie Malina looks at how beasts of every description weave their way into the very fabric of dance

65. Classifieds

66. Last Dance
We look back to August 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.