FLAILBOX

Review on Londonist.

Great press drinks in a 5th floor room looking out to the Eye, Big Ben and the river. Lots of wine too - thanks!

I was overjoyed to be at Rambert’s mixed bill last Wednesday and witness such a brilliant programme performed with such energy, elan and artistry. I feared my favourite company was on the slide… I’ve been proved wrong. New additions to the team have refreshed them since I last saw them at Sadlers a couple of years ago and for once, I thoroughly enjoyed a Siobhan Davies work: Carnival of the Animals was not only classy, quirky and brilliantly performed but hearing Saint Saen’s famous work again, interpreted by Rambert, sent me right back to my childhood when this was one of the most inspiring, inspirational pieces of classical music - scrap that - music, that I’d ever heard. One of the reasons I started playing the cello as a kid - the swan - and yes, he was brilliant here.

Anatomica, also, was awesome. There’s nothing better than seeing these incredible dancers throw themselves around the stage and off precipices.

Not had so many WOWS on my part since I first saw Wayne McGregor’s Detritus performed by the Company (Angela Towler still shines, by the way). Nice work.

My review for Londonist.com here.

I was lucky enough to see Chroma from the front row of the stalls at the Royal Opera House and it totally blew me away. I couldn’t do a review… I was barely coherent. Edward Watson was stunning up close…. the choreography is just superb on the Royal Ballet dancers…. jibber jibber…. blown away.

So, what a shame that Entity was a total let down in its shadow. Or was it? As Webcowgirl says, other people thought it was genius. One of my non-dance friends was gripped by it, for the full hour. Me & her were bored from the start: whilst appreciating the quality of the production, the calibre of the dancers and the fantastic bodily vocabulary of McGregor, we just didn’t get into it at all.

Where does that leave our critical judgement? Can there be an objective opinion about a piece? Eeeek

Check out YouTube vid on Chroma:

I’ll be there for the closing night. Can’t wait to see Green Apples for the first time. And hanging out at the Place is always a pleasure.

Check out Toni & Theo at work - clips from Magpie in an exclusive video on Article 19.  See them being funny and completely mental, respectively in extracts from “This” by New Art Club and “I feel funny today” by Yasmeen Godder. Article 19 hit the nail on the head too. Probe give you more. Catch them if you can.

After an enthusiastic preview for Londonist, just had to catch up with Theo & Toni. They didn’t disappoint. Carrying off an old fashioned variety show - Magpie - at the Place yet unrelentingly delivering stellar, moving and humourous performances, Probe literally kicked ass and left us beaming. It should always be like this.

The Sadlers Wells annual Flamenco Festival heats up again.

As previewed on Londonist the popular monthly dance club at the Wells gets carnival.

The hugely successful Sampled returns.

Give it a whirl.