February 2017

Posted on February 28, 2017

This month’s issue of Dancing Times takes a look at the many different aspects of a dancer’s life, from tackling a major role in a classic of the repertoire for the first time, to taking dance to some of the world’s most deprived communities. In advance of their debuts as Princess Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty, on page 17 Francesca Hayward and Yasmine Naghdi describe to Zoë Anderson how they are preparing to dance the role later this month, whilst their Royal Ballet colleague, Lauren Cuthbertson, gives a more experienced view of the ballet. On page 44, Laura Dodge travels to Manchester to meet young dancers at Northern Ballet School on the brink of a professional career; and to highlight Flamenco Festival London, on page 23 Graham Watts finds out how Manuel Liñán is challenging gender stereotypes.

In addition, former Rambert dancer Dane Hurst describes his participation in a dance project with people living in a Brazilian favela on page 37, and Nicola Rayner talks to Len Goodman about life after Strictly Come Dancing on page 32. Last, but not least, in his Talking Point column dance critic Luke Jennings writes on how classical ballet must try harder to be more inclusive of black female dancers.

Dancing Times, February 2017 Volume 107 Issue 1278

Cover Stories

17 – Awakening Aurora. Zoë Anderson speaks to three Royal Ballet Auroras – Lauren Cuthbertson, Francesca Hayward and Yasmine Naghdi – about the thrills and the challenges of one of ballet’s major roles

23 – Changing the face of flamenco. Graham Watts meets Manuel Liñán, a Spanish dancer challenging gender stereotypes

27 – Acting up. Gerald Dowler interviews Royal Ballet character principals Elizabeth McGorian and Gary Avis

32 – Len’s Grand Finale. Nicola Rayner catches up with Strictly Come Dancing’s Len Goodman

Features

21 – MOVE IT 2017

37 – Teaching dance in a Brazilian favela. Dane Hurst describes an inspiring project in Recife

40 – Next steps. Paul Arrowsmith revisits two young choreographers, Kenneth Tindall and Andrew McNicol

44 – Not just
training swans. Laura Dodge pays a visit to Manchester’s Northern Ballet School

Dance Today

76 – Talking Italian. Alison Gallagher-Hughes meets Monica Nigro and Valerio Colantoni

80 – To trust a stranger. Nicola Rayner considers how rituals and etiquette vary in the world of socal dance

82 – Tips on technique. By James Whitehead

83 – Technique clinic. By Phil Meacham

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

85 – Stepping Out. By Marianka Swain

86 – Notes from the Dance Floor. The Star Ball, and Dance Today’s Dance Teacher of the Year

88 – Somewhere in time. By Jack Reavely

Regulars

6 – News. Scottish Dance Theatre

12 – Letters

15 – Talking Point. By Luke Jennings

47 – Variety Lights. Barbara Newman sees Dreamgirls at the Savoy

49 – Letter from St Petersburg. By Igor Stupnikov

51 – Notes from New York. By Jack Anderson

53 – Media. New CDs and DVDs

55 – Dance Scene. Reviews this month include The Red Shoes, The Royal Ballet, English National Ballet and Bavarian State Ballet

91 – People. New Year Honours

92 – Dancer of the Month. Margaret Willis meets Ballet Black’s Marie Astrid Mence

96 – Obituaries. Angela DeMello, Peter Farmer, Carlos Miranda

99 – Products

101 – Education

105 – Health. Debbie Malina on why it’s never too old to dance

111 – Classified

112 – Calendar

118 – Listings

122 – Last Dance

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.