It is a special experience to sit along the studio walls up close and personal with dancers. I would like to thank Christopher Marney, Artistic Director of London City Ballet for inviting us to watch company class and a rehearsal in such an intimate space which is their new studio near Sadler’s Wells Theatre.
After class taken by Iain Mackay, recently announced as the next Artistic Director of The Royal Ballet School, we watched rehearsals led by Kate Lyons, who is a former dancer and resident director with Matthew Bourne, and teacher at Central School of Ballet, Ballet Black and others. We saw sections of Ashley Page’s Larina Waltz and Kenneth MacMillan’s Ballade which are on the programme of their inaugural tour starting at Theatre Royal Bath on Wednesday 17 July.
The dancers are all of a very high standard and include a mix of young dancers at the beginning of their careers, alongside experienced professionals such as Alejandro Virelles (former principal at Cuban National Ballet, ENB, Berlin and others) and Joseph Taylor (Northern Ballet). The latter had been a delightful and insightful guest of LCB on a zoom talk just the evening before.
Being a small touring group of only 14 dancers, Chris explained that they will need to cover for each other, and in the Larina Waltz rehearsal, the dancers covered a spot that they don’t usually do. After only a brief walkthrough, it was impressive.
Chris then explained the history of Ballade, and that it is about the meeting of Kenneth and Deborah at the movies, having been introduced by two friends. The rehearsal extract was performed by Alejandro Virelles (Kenneth), Isadora Bless (Deborah) with Joseph Taylor and Alvaro Madrigal Arenilla. Alina Cojocaru is scheduled to perform the Deborah role at Sadler’s Wells in each performance of the run. I am sure she will bring her sensitive artistry to this piece.
I wish this new venture much success and encourage you to attend. Don’t miss it!