December 2018

Posted on December 19, 2018

Editorial and contents December 2018

Welcome to the 1,300th issue of Dancing Times, which you will find is as packed with news, views, interviews and reviews as ever. This month, we talk to dancers Matthew Ball, Marcelo Gomes, Sharia Johnson and Faye Tozer; report back on the finals of the International Championships held at the Royal Albert Hall; and discover more about the dance scene in Mexico.

We have, however, two pieces of sad news to pass on to our readers: just as we were going to press, we learned of the death in Amsterdam, at the age of 88, of Jenny Veldhuis, a long-term contributor to Dancing Times and a passionate advocate for the rigorous training of dancers. A tribute will follow. In addition, we bid farewell to Zoë Anderson, who is leaving us as assistant editor to work with the Big Lottery Fund. Whilst we are sorry to say goodbye, we are happy in the knowledge that Zoë will continue to contribute to these pages in the future, and wish her every success in her new career. I’m delighted to announce that from January 2019, Nicola Rayner will be returning to the magazine on a temporary basis whilst we embark on the search for Zoë’s successor.

Finally, I’d like to wish all our readers a Merry Christmas, and the very best for a prosperous and happy New Year.

JONATHAN GRAY

Dancing Times, December 2018 Volume 109 Issue 1300

Cover Stories

15 – Fast forward. The Royal Ballet’s Matthew Ball interviewed by Gerald Dowler

18 – Injury time. Laura Dodge gives an insight into the challenges of injury

29 – One step at a time. Faye Tozer talks to Nicola Rayner about her experience on Strictly Come Dancing

32 – Unexpected benefits. Natasha Rogai catches up with Marcelo Gomes

Features

21 – The Hamlet Complex. Michael Crabb travels to Banff and Oslo to observe the fascinating evolution of a fresh look at Hamlet

25 – Colours of Mexico. Fátima Nóllen looks at Ballet Folklórico de Mexico Amalia Hernández, as well as dance companies based outside Mexico City

102 – Royal connections. Debbie Malina explores the connections between dance and royalty

Dance Today

72 – The International. Nicola Rayner reports on the final of the International Championships in London

76 – Inside the Orishas. Lee Knights discovers the roots of Cuban dance

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 – Somewhere in time. By Jack Reavely

Regulars

6 – News. The Royal Ballet and Cats

10 – Letters

12 – Talking Point. By Amelia Ideh

35 – Dance Scene. Reviews include English National Ballet, Tap Dogs, Ballet Cymru, Stuttgart Ballet, Hong Kong Ballet

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. Barbara Newman reviews Company and Chinese National Peking Opera

85 – Dancer of the Month. Margaret Willis meets Rambert’s Sharia Johnson

89 – People. Ann Hutchinson Guest at 100

90 – Obituaries. Cecilia Barrett, Mary Munro, Christine Woodward

93 – Media. Primeiro Bailarino film

95 – Products

98 – …It’s all about floor pressure… Rachel Rist places emphasis on the feet

100 – Education. Tap Attack, Elmhurst Ballet Company launched, Spanish Dance Society

107 – Classifieds

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

118 – Listings. Where to learn to dance in the UK

122 – Last Dance. We look back to what was reported in Dancing Times in December 1978

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.