June 2014

Posted on August 11, 2014

In this latest issue of Dancing Times, Zoë Anderson talks to English National Ballet’s lead principal Daria Klimentová on the eve of her farewell to the stage. An audience favourite who formed an acclaimed partnership with Vadim Muntagirov, it is fitting that the ballerina will be dancing her final performance with him in Romeo and Juliet at the Royal Albert Hall on June 22.

As in her recent autobiography, Agony and Ecstasy, Klimentová talks frankly about her career and the reasons behind her decision to retire from dancing, and the interview is accompanied by new photographs by Arnaud Stephenson. Also in this edition, I travel to Florida in order to see Sarasota Ballet’s inspiring Frederick Ashton Festival, which presented no fewer than eight one-act ballets and five divertissements over the course of four days; Graham Watts follows up on his report on the lack of opportunities offered to female choreographers; and Margaret Willis meets the legendary Russian dancer Vladimir Vasiliev. Debbie Malina pays a visit to The Royal Ballet’s new Healthcare Suite, and we remember Gailene Stock, the director of The Royal Ballet School, who has died following a long battle with cancer.

JONATHAN GRAY

June 2014 Volume 104 Issue 1246

Cover stories

14 Looking forward. Zoë Anderson talks to English National Ballet’s Daria Klimentová on the eve of the ballerina’s retirement from the stage. Photographs by Arnaud Stephenson

24 The Frederick Ashton
Festival in Sarasota. Jonathan Gray sees the choreography of Frederick Ashton honoured at a festival presented by Sarasota Ballet

57 Notes from New York. Jack Anderson on Dance Theatre of Harlem

Features

19 Where do all the women go? Graham Watts finds that opportunities have not much changed for women choreographers

29 A life in dance. Margaret Willis meets the great Russian dancer Vladimir Vasiliev during a competition held in Berlin

Regulars

06 Dance Matters. Autumn season at Sadler’s Wells, NEBT competition

10 Letters

12 Talking Point. Gavin McCaig wonders whether dance is becoming like a reality TV series

34 Dance Scene. Reviews include The Royal Ballet, Crystal Pite, Royal Ballet Flanders

55 Letter from St Petersburg. Igor Stupnikov sees the Maryinsky Ballet dance Frederick Ashton’s Sylvia

59 Dance Media. New books and DVDs, plus win signed copies of Steven McRae: Dancer in the Fast Lane

61 Dance People. Dame Monica Mason’s portrait unveiled at the National Portrait Gallery

62 Obituaries. Jean Bedells, Emilio Martins, April Olrich, Gailene Stock

64 Dance Health. Debbie Malina talks to Greg Retter about The Royal Ballet’s new Healthcare Suite

69 Dance Education. IDTC 2014, KS Dance, London Children’s Ballet

75 Classifieds

76 Where to Learn

85 Calendar

Into Dance

79 Dancer of the Month. Margaret Willis talks to Samara Downs of Birmingham Royal Ballet

82 Stage Picture. La Fille mal gardée by Zoë Anderson

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.