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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.