July 2019

We pay tribute this month to David Bintley, who stepped down as director of Birmingham Royal Ballet on June 29 after 24 years of service. He was, of course, associated with the company long before that, both as a dancer and choreographer when it was named Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet, but – as can be seen in his interview with Paul Arrowsmith – he plans to continue with his career as a choreographer for the foreseeable future.

We also report back on the 2019 Blackpool Dance Festival, learn about the commercial dance scene, and find out about Iain MacKay’s plans for Yorkshire Ballet Seminars, which return to Askham Bryan College this month. In addition, there is an extended Dance Scene section, highlighting the vast amount of dance that has recently been on offer on stage in the UK and abroad.

Finally, to mark this month’s Pride celebrations in the UK, we include an article – requested by our readers – on voguing, a dance style that has recently made a comeback in the popular imagination. Enjoy the summer!

JONATHAN GRAY

Inside this issue

Paul Arrowsmith asks David Bintley to look back at his time as director of Birmingham Royal Ballet

Jonathan Gray talks to Iain Mackay about his ambitions for the Yorkshire Ballet Seminars

Nicola Rayner explores the re-emergence of voguing

Martin Cutler reports from Blackpool Dance Festival

Buy this issue now