June 2011

Posted on June 24, 2011

In this month’s issue of Dancing Times, we take a look at some of the problems staging historic works of the 19th and 20th century repertoire. On page 30, Doug Fullington and Marian Smith reveal the extensive background work they undertook as part of their contribution to Peter Boal’s new staging of Giselle for Pacific Northwest Ballet, which opens in Seattle later this month.

Their laudable effort is contrasted with dance notator Ann Hutchinson Guest’s Open Letter to Andris Liepa on page 10, prompted by the recent appearance of The Kremlin Ballet in Nijinsky’s L’Après-midi d’un faune at the London Coliseum – an unhappy season meant to celebrate Serge Diaghilev and the Ballets Russes. You can read my thoughts about the performances on page 45. Also in this issue, Natalie Wheen writes about Martin Yates’ new orchestration for Manon on page 34; Ian Palmer sees Baltic Dance Theatre in Gdansk on page 23, and on page 27 Gerald Dowler asks, “British style RIP?”

JONATHAN GRAY

15 The dreaming ballerina. Dame Beryl Grey interviewed by Zoë Anderson

23 Baltic steps. Ian Palmer journeys to Gdansk in Poland to see Baltic Dance Theatre

27 British style RIP? By Gerald Dowler

30  Giselle’s Seattle revival. Doug Fullington and Marian Smith take a behind-the-scenes look at Pacific Northwest Ballet’s new Giselle. Photographs by Angela Sterling

34 The sound of Manon. Natalie Wheen reveals the story behind Martin Yates’ new orchestration for Kenneth MacMillan’s Manon. Photographs by Frederika Davis

6  Dance Matters. Wayne McGregor and BLINK, Auditions, ENB tickets competition

10 Letters

12  Talking Point. This month, Rym Kechacha writes about the value of dance criticism

21 Variety Lights. Barbara Newman on Catch Me If You Can

38 Dance Health. Debbie Malina continues our health directory for dancers

43 Dance Scene. Reviews this month include : The Kremlin Ballet, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, The Royal Ballet, Scottish Ballet, and the Royal Danish Ballet

63 Letter from St Petersburg. Igor Stupnikov is in festival mood

65 Dance Media. News of our book and DVD stock sale

67 Dance People. Alban Lendorf, St Petersburg Awards

68 Obituaries. Rachel Cameron, Francis Francis, Eleanor Hudson

71 Dance Education. Verve, Mukhamedov at Hammond, SLP

75 Classifieds

76 Where to Learn

78 Calendar 

85  Dancer of the Month. English National Ballet’s Shiori Kase interviewed by Margaret Willis

88 Fascinating Rhythm. Gershwin and dance by Zoë Anderson

90 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.