For the first time, Ballet Nights brings its world-class dance sensation to the Edinburgh Fringe: seven performances of ballet, contemporary dance and live music in one intimate, hosted evening. Olivier-nominated Sarah Chun (Northern Ballet Principal) and Joseph Taylor (London City Ballet) star alongside Scotland’s own Amy McEntee, contemporary fusion sensation Ekleido, PCK Dance and Music Awardee Dominic Stokes on live music, compèred by founder Jamiel Devernay-Laurence.
Review by Richard Lambert
Ballet Nights does pretty much exactly what it says on the tin: a showcase of ballet and contemporary dance that puts the performers firmly centre stage. There’s no set, no props and no elaborate theatrical machinery to distract from the bodies in motion — and with a cast of superb dancers, that proves to be a sensible choice.
The programme offers an interesting mix of classical and modern styles, with choreography that is consistently engaging, if occasionally more intriguing than emotionally involving. The musicality is one of the evening’s strongest points, with some excellent compositions and thoughtful musical choices. A violinist provides live accompaniment, although the solo passages occasionally tipped into a cacophony that wasn’t entirely to my taste.
Lighting creates some striking shapes and atmospheres, although more side lighting would have helped reveal the dancers’ bodies and movement more clearly. Costumes similarly strike a pleasing balance between classical and contemporary, while remaining suitably unobtrusive.
Ultimately, it is the quality of the dancers that carries the evening. The skill level is superb, and the cast delivers the choreography with precision, control and obvious commitment.
There are no great surprises here — but that is hardly a criticism. Ballet Nights delivers exactly what it promises: an accomplished, varied and visually interesting evening of dance, performed by a superb cast. For lovers of ballet and contemporary dance, there is plenty to admire.
Cast & Creatives
Joseph Taylor — Dancer, La Muerte de un Cisne
Michel Descombey — Choreographer, La Muerte de un Cisne
Camille Saint-Saëns — Composer, La Muerte de un Cisne
Sarah Chun — Dancer, Uhuru
Mthuthuzeli November — Choreographer, Uhuru
Mthuthuzeli November & Alex Wilson — Music, Uhuru
Ekleido — Performer/Choreographer, SPLICE
Floating Points — Music, SPLICE
Leila Wright — Dancer, String Theory
Dominic Stokes — Dancer/Viola, String Theory
Jordan James Bridge — Choreographer, String Theory
Dominic Stokes — Composer/Musician, String Theory
Amy McEntee — Dancer, Still, I Forgot To Say
James Pett — Choreographer, Still, I Forgot To Say
Travis Clausen-Knight — Choreographer, Still, I Forgot To Say
PCK Dance — Creative team, Still, I Forgot To Say
Dominic Stokes — Viola, Viola Sonata, Op. 25, No. 1
Paul Hindemith — Composer, Viola Sonata, Op. 25, No. 1
Sarah Chun — Dancer, Romeo & Juliet Balcony Pas de Deux
Joseph Taylor — Dancer, Romeo & Juliet Balcony Pas de Deux
Massimo Moricone — Choreographer, Romeo & Juliet Balcony Pas de Deux
Sergei Prokofiev — Composer, Romeo & Juliet Balcony Pas de Deux
Jamiel Devernay-Laurence — Founder / Compère, Ballet Nights