January 2009

Posted on December 4, 2008

2009 is going to be a significant year for dance in the UK. Not only will there be worldwide celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of the first performances of Serge Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes in Paris (without which there would be no serious ballet scene to speak of today), this year will also see the 40th anniversaries of two of the UK’s leading regional ballet companies: Scottish Ballet and Northern Ballet Theatre. Dancing Times will be recording these occasions in full over the forthcoming months.

During the 1910s and 1920s, Diaghilev spent much of his time seeking financial backing so that his company and the new works he wanted to produce could survive – he didn’t have the benefit of state support for the arts that we have today. Northern Ballet Theatre and Scottish Ballet have also had financial problems of their own over the years – which, happily, they now seem to have overcome – but it is alarming to read about unexpected Arts Council cuts in funding for small, struggling companies such as the Nottingham-based New English Contemporary Ballet, who valiantly attempt to take ballet to regional audiences (see page 8). In these straightened times, such enterprising dance companies need all the encouragement and financial help they can get, and if the art form we love is to survive into the 22nd century, money needs to be applied now at grass roots level and not just allocated to London-based companies and luxuriously appointed opera houses. This month you will also find an exclusive web feature by Mary Clarke on Ekaterina Maximova and Vladimir Vasiliev.

Jonathan Gray

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In this month’s issue

14 The Prodigal Son. Gary Avis interviewed by Gerald Dowler

18 Walk this Way. Nordic Walking at Millennium Performing Arts by Alison Kirkman

23 Music Maestro. Barry Wordsworth talks to Gerald Dowler

27 Move It 2009. Exhibition preview

29 Dancing Around Europe. Part 4 by Louise Bennett

33 Ballets Russes de Serge Diaghilev. Part 3. Researched by Sarah Woodcock

37 Captured on Film. By Jane Pritchard

41 Dancers after dancing. Patricia Linton talks to Pauline Clayden

45 Another Opening
Another Show. Lola, the life of Lola Montez reviewed by Kathy Elgin

49 DanceScene International. UK: Menaka PP Bora, Rambert Dance Company, The Royal Ballet, Savion Glover, Australian Dance Theatre

OVERSEAS: Melbourne International Arts Festival, Paris Opéra Ballet, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, National Ballet of Canada, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Alberta Ballet, The Bolshoi Ballet

76 Obituary. Alison Willett, Clive Barnes and Gerald Arpino

Regulars

6 Dancematters. Northern Ballet Theatre, V&A

11 Letters to the Editor

13 Talking Point. By Sheila Cross

73 Letter from St Petersburg.
By Igor Stupnikov

75 Miscellany.Scottish Ballet

79 Teachers & Training.
RAD, National Youth Ballet, Sigurd Leeder Heritage

83 Classified

84 Where to Learn

86 Calendar

97 Book & DVD

Into Dance!

101 IntoDance. Zoë Anderson reports on Ctrl.Alt.Shift at the Peacock Theatre, London

104 Dancer of the Month – Dane Hurst.
Interviewed by Margaret Willis

106 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.